No summer ever felt complete without You Me At Six on one line-up or another, but it’s time for the stalwarts to bring the curtain down on their festival career in the thick of the mud bath at Slam Dunk North. Tissues at the ready, ’cause this is going to be emotional.
Of course, Save It For The Bedroom kicks things off – the fundamental breakout song from this band’s utterly stacked discography. “You Me At Six will always be your band,” bellows Josh Franceschi, midway through Reckless, getting the formalities out of the way to turn his attention to delivering the greatest show of their career. While most punters opt for a hillside view, the mosh-pits hit full force by Bite My Tongue, as reality sinks in to everyone: it’s the last chance to dance, Sixers.
Somewhat of a throwback setlist that pays homage to their roots and their long-standing relationship with the festival, Always Attract and Kiss And Tell receive rare outings, alongside The Consequence – where The Blackout’s Sean Smith pops up on stage for guest vocal duties. Room To Breathe is nothing short of godlike, and fan-favourite The Swarm cooks up a storm, the volume cranked up just a notch.
Josh’s vocals are on point all night, well and truly doing justice to the occasion. “Somewhere out there is the future headliner of this festival,” he assures the crowd, reminding everyone how he once stood in their shoes. No song defines their story more than Underdog, which poetically brings things to a close alongside Beautiful Way. It’s not quite the end – that will follow at Wembley Arena next April – but nevertheless a stunning manner for You Me At Six bow out from the festival circuit, at the pinnacle of a genre that they’ve helped shape. (RS)