The Time I Saw The Academy Is... At Slam Dunk 2023

Back in 2023, I went to Slam Dunk for the first time, and I would say that The Academy Is… Had a massive part in my field trip across the pond.

At the Kerrang! Stage on the right, The Academy Is… As they entered the stage, I was in the photo pit with my camera, and a moment of disbelief followed; I was in the PHOTO PIT to take pictures of The Academy Is… A band I so fondly remember trying to convince my uncle back home in Australia about a mere decade prior. Sadly, he passed away back in 2022, and for the following 11 months, I clutched on to the memories of dragging him to every music store in Hobart, Tasmania, to find their CDs and force him to pay attention to their sound.

Once the band had taken the stage and gotten ready, they kicked off their set with “The Phrase That Pays” from their debut album, released back in 2005. William Beckett still had the showmanship that I had heard so much about from peers who had seen them live before their hiatus. It was amazing to see and hear.

Going from song to song, William definitely didn’t let the audience down while belting out the lyrics to “Bulls In Brooklyn” and “About a Girl”, even performing “Bring It (Snakes On A Plane),” which is a Cobra Starship song, an odd choice in my opinion - but it was fun to hear. The whole band was oozing energy, seeming thankful to be able to perform for us, and the audience sang along to every song that they played for us.

Overall, it was exactly how I had hoped it to be. I hope they return in the future.

Setlist
1. The Phrase That Pays

2. Neighbors

3. Slow Down

4. Sleeping With Giants (Lifetime)

5. Classifieds

6. Bulls In Brooklyn

7. Black Mamba

8. Checkmarks

9. Bring It (Snakes on a Plane) (Cobra Starship cover)

10. About a Girl