As Slam Dunk Festival draws to a close each year, the side shows offer something completely different from the festival experience. After seeing bands on large outdoor stages over the weekend, fans get the chance to catch them in much more intimate venues, often just a few feet away from the stage. That’s exactly what The Dome in Camden offered on 25 May, as co-headliners Hawthorne Heights and Madina Lake brought their Slam Dunk run into London, joined by support act Guillotine.
The room was packed long before the headliners appeared. Some fans had spent the weekend at the festival itself, while others had come specifically for the side show. Either way, there was a real sense of anticipation throughout the venue, helped by the fact that opportunities to see bands of this era in a room this size are becoming increasingly rare.
GUILLOTINE
Opening the evening was Guillotine, a newer name on the UK alternative scene but one that seems to be building momentum quickly. The band blends elements of alternative rock, post-hardcore, and modern emo, combining heavier moments with the sort of melodic choruses that fit naturally on a bill like this.
Support slots can be difficult, especially when you’re opening for two bands with such established fanbases, but Guillotine approached the set with confidence. They made good use of their time on stage, keeping things moving without trying too hard to win people over.
The crowd was still filtering into the venue for the opening songs, but by the end of their set there was a noticeable increase in attention. Heads were nodding, people were moving closer to the front, and it felt like they’d gained more than a few new listeners during their time on stage.
For a relatively young band playing to a room packed with fans of established names, it was a solid showing.
You can follow Guillotine here:
MADINA LAKE
For many in attendance, seeing Madina Lake again still carries a certain amount of emotion.
Formed in Chicago in 2005 by twin brothers Nathan and Matthew Leone, the band became one of the defining names of the mid-2000s alternative rock and emo scene. Albums such as From Them, Through Us, To You, Attics to Eden and World War III helped build a devoted fanbase on both sides of the Atlantic, particularly in the UK where the band have always enjoyed a strong following.
Their music blended alternative rock, post-hardcore and emo influences with huge choruses and personal lyrics, creating songs that connected deeply with fans at the time and continue to do so years later.
Walking onto the stage at The Dome, it quickly became obvious that connection hasn’t gone anywhere.
The reaction throughout the set was immediate. Fans sang along to almost every word, often loudly enough to rival the band’s own vocals. What stood out most wasn’t nostalgia, but how much these songs still meant to the people in the room.
Nathan Leone remains a compelling frontman, balancing energy and sincerity in a way that feels completely natural. Between songs, his interactions with the crowd felt genuine and full of sincerity, and that helped make the room feel surprisingly intimate despite how packed it was. At one point he stage dived into the crowd, a classic move from Nathan.
Musically, the band sounded sharp throughout. The years away and eventual reunion haven’t dulled anything. The songs still carry the same urgency that made people fall in love with them in the first place.
By the end of their set, there was a real sense that many people could have happily watched another hour.
You can follow Madina Lake here:
HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS
If Madina Lake brought emotion, Hawthorne Heights brought a reminder of just how influential they’ve been for an entire generation of alternative music fans.
Formed in Ohio in 2001, Hawthorne Heights became one of the defining bands of the emo and post-hardcore movement through albums such as The Silence in Black and White, If Only You Were Lonely and Fragile Future. Songs like Ohio Is for Lovers became synonymous with the era and introduced countless people to heavier music for the first time.
More than twenty years after forming, the band continue to tour extensively and release new music, maintaining a fanbase that spans generations.
From the moment they stepped on stage, the crowd was fully engaged. Every chorus seemed to come straight back at the band, with hundreds of voices filling the venue. There was no sense of people simply reliving old memories. Instead, it felt like songs that had remained part of people’s lives long after the scene that originally produced them had faded.
JT Woodruff was in excellent form throughout, leading the set with a relaxed confidence that comes from years of experience. The rest of the band matched that energy, keeping everything tight while still allowing the songs room to breathe.
The smaller venue worked heavily in their favour. Seeing a band with Hawthorne Heights’ legacy in a room this size gave the performance a different feel than it might have had on a larger stage. Every lyric felt louder, every crowd response felt bigger, and every song seemed to hit a little harder because of how close everyone was.
As the set reached its final stretch, the atmosphere inside The Dome felt completely locked in. Fans who had grown up with the band stood shoulder to shoulder with younger listeners experiencing these songs live for the first time, and both groups were having exactly the same reaction.
You can follow Hawthorne Heights here:
Shows like this are exactly why Slam Dunk’s side dates have become such an important part of the week. Away from festival schedules and huge crowds, bands get the chance to connect with audiences in a very different way.
Guillotine made the most of the opening slot, Madina Lake reminded everyone why they’ve maintained such a loyal following, and Hawthorne Heights delivered the kind of set that showed why they’ve remained a fixture of alternative music for more than two decades.
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Words and photography by Amy Showell
GALLERIES
Guillotine
Madina lake
Hawthorne Heights
Broken Static Magazine 
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