Weather and festivals (sigh), they’re never going to be best mates here in the UK, but with last year being such a nightmare for the long-standing rock and pop-punk favourite, Slam Dunk 2024 HAD to be better.
And it was, even despite the weather. It might have been by the skin of their teeth and a few issues here and there, but they managed it.
With the city having hosted Live at Leeds on the already soggy Temple Newsam ground the day before, the conditions were hardly going to be perfect and even with the Whites playing a massive game at Wembley, we still saw thousands marching on together down the hill.
Some ended up sliding most of the time, but you get the picture.
A few spills to say the least.Nothing but vibes though.Credit: The Hoot
We only had boots on the ground at Slam Dunk North on the Sunday, but we’d heard much more positive things from those in the South shows at Hatfield Park in London and, regardless of the rain, spirits were high, voices were full and emo phases were still very much in full effect.
Catching an early throwback with We The Kings for our first slot of the day, it became very apparent that we were going to feel one of two things: pure nostalgia and the added realisation of just how old we’d gotten.
We definitely weren’t alone in that respect, though it was nice to see how much of a mixed age the festival had welcomed this year, but it did dawn on us very quickly that it had virtually been two decades since we first heard some of these songs - not least from the headliners.
But we’ll get on to that…
So many names that hadn't been to the UK in years rocked up for the day.
One of the standout moments had to be seeing Mallory Knox reunite after five years up and they couldn’t possibly have picked a better way to do it than at a festival like Slam Dunk, which had been a proving ground for them and so many other bands from that era.
We were gutted when they started having some sound issues right from the beginning of their set - the last thing you want after so long out of the game - but it warmed our hearts to see the crowd keeping the songs going for every single second and it was clear it meant a lot to them.
Frustration aside, they smashed the set and Mikey Chapman sounded just as good as ever, no matter the odds that were stacked against him and his old friends, not to mention a very wet audience.
We then managed to catch the wonderful Manchester band Pale Waves (which our Manc family visiting for the day clearly appreciated) before the frustrating part of the day where clashes began to crop up and we sadly had to split up. The cruel axiom of all live music festivals.
However, we can all individually vouch for Asking Alexandria, Boys Like Girls, The All American Rejects and The Wonder Years being absolute dynamite. It really did feel like the old days.
But let’s not beat around the bush any longer, there was one big name that most people had turned up to see and although they've consistently continued making music for 20 years now, the performance was a real blast from the past and a bit of a love letter to our younger selves.
Similar to the feelings drummed up by seeing Mallory Knox back on stage and that sense of symbolising so many that had gone before, in between playing banger after banger, frontman Josh Franceschi gave a rousing speech about how young bands need to keep dreaming big.
As he put it, the five-piece were once in their shoes and simply kept going no matter who told them they weren’t good enough. But the message was a universal one, much like the ones in songs such as ‘Underdog’, ‘Stay With Me’ and ‘Take On The World’ have always felt.
And that’s exactly why you didn’t see a single Sixer miss a single word.
This wasn’t just a goodbye for many fans, though they will get one last chance to see them on their farewell tour in 2025, it was a reminder of just how big this particular British rock band and old pop-punk pioneers on this side of the Atlantic meant to their generation.
Hearing an entire field scream their head off to ‘Bite My Tongue’ will forever go down as a core gig memory and we couldn’t ask for anything more when going to see live music: giving you something you’ll remember forever.
Slam Dunk North 2024’s highlight definitely came down to one momentous headliner but it had to be said that despite the weather a few hiccups here and there, they did their very best to battle through obstacles and make things go ahead and we believe they redeemed themselves.
And on that note, all that’s left to say is RIP, You Me At Six, 2005-2025 and thank you, Temple Newsam - we’ll see you next year for more mud and moshing.
After a triumphant debut year, Roundhay Festival is coming back with a bang.
And this time, British rock legends Muse will be taking to the stage as they are revealed as the first headline act.
Held over three days in July this year and organised by AEG Presents in collaboration with Leeds City Council, Roundhay Festival went down an absolute treat this year.
From thousands of bald-cap wearing Pitbull fans flocking to the scene to Lewis Capaldi making sure there wasn't a dry eye in the house, the inaugural festival was a booming success and we can't wait to welcome it back.
Muse will headline Roundhay Park on Sunday 27 June 2027, joined by a very special line-up including guests Nothing But Thieves and other acts yet to be announced.
Jim King, CEO of AEG Presents UK & European Festivals, says “Following the success of our first year at Roundhay Park, we’re delighted to be returning to Leeds with one of the most incredible live bands in the world.
"Muse’s legendary outdoor performances and unrivalled production values continue to set the benchmark for live music, and we’re thrilled to welcome them to Roundhay for what promises to be a truly spectacular event.”
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “This festival is a great example of how concerts and other cultural events and celebrations can act as a hugely positive showcase for Leeds.
“Bringing the music world’s top names to our city and giving them the opportunity to play in the breathtaking setting of Roundhay Park allows us to connect with new national and international audiences, while at the same time supporting the local economy.
“Local residents and businesses can also be assured that the council, alongside AEG Presents, will be working hard to keep them informed about road closures and the other traffic and travel arrangements that are required for the safe and smooth operation of an event on this scale.”
Tickets for Muse’s American Express presents Roundhay Festival date go on general sale at 10am this Friday 13 November. Find out more here.
Audio North’s Artist of the Month – The Wranglers | November 2026
Declan Kelly
It’s time to bring a whole lot of country music to the North.
Country music might traditionally have you thinking of Nashville, cowboy boots, and American highways, but there's a new generation of artists proving you don't have to cross the Atlantic to find a good country tune.
Meet The Wranglers - a Leeds-based band who are bringing a whole lot of country to the North's music scene, with big vocals, infectious energy, and a sound that feels just as at home in a packed festival field as it does in a Nashville honky-tonk.
Formed in April 2024, the independent band have wasted little time making their mark on the UK's growing country music scene. The Wranglers have been championing the sort of live performances that are about more than simply playing a setlist, inviting audiences into a world of storytelling, freedom, heart and a little bit of country-rock chaos.
Their sound takes inspiration from some of music's biggest names (think Bruce Springsteen, Journey, and Foreigner) while bringing in the more modern country influences of Luke Combs, The Shires, and Lady A.
It's this combination of classic rock influences and contemporary country that gives the band their own identity. Whether it's a summer anthem, a power ballad, or something exploring darker themes of lust and betrayal, their songwriting is rooted in storytelling and the ability to make people feel something.
And if there's one thing The Wranglers want you to know, it's that their music is best experienced live.
Credit: SuppliedCredit: Supplied
With lead vocalists Milly Ballington and Leo Hicks at the front, alongside Dylan Wilson on lead guitar, Sian Keates on drums, and Sean Robinson on bass, the five-piece put showmanship at the heart of everything they do. Expect plenty of audience participation, powerful vocals, and the kind of stage presence that makes it difficult to stand still.
Since forming, they've already found themselves performing at some of the UK's most exciting country music destinations, including The Long Road Festival and Lil' Nashville in London, while continuing to build a dedicated following back home in Leeds.
Their debut single, 'Rewind', arrived in 2025, giving listeners an introduction to their original sound. They've since continued to build on that momentum with 'Freedom in the Rain', released in August 2026, and their latest single 'Ghost', showing there's plenty more to come from the band.
It's not just about getting their music out there, either. With a headline show at Leeds' Oporto among their recent milestones, The Wranglers are continuing to put their hometown firmly on the map as they take their country sound further afield.
For a band that only came together in 2024, there's already plenty to shout about. But with new music, live performances and a growing audience behind them, it feels like they're only just getting started.
So, if you've been looking for your next country music obsession, it might be time to give The Wranglers a listen. After all, you don't need to be in Nashville to have a little bit of country in your life.
Danny Jones -
27th May 2024 
