While I went mainly to see Comback Kid, I could not argue that the headliners were awesome! Another great evening on the Leeds punk scene.

Holding Absence performing for only the 2nd time in Leeds. Back in 2019, they performed at The Key Club, and this year, 2023, they played at the Leeds University Stylus.

Supported by Thornhill and Dark Devine, it was everything you would expect from them. There was no shortage of moshpits, but it would not be right if it did not happen.

A great evening, and I look forward to the next time they step into a Leeds Venue!

While it is still some way off and I am sure the lineup will change, which artists are we all looking forward to seeing at Slam Dunk 2024?

For me, it has to be:

• You Me At Six
• Goldfinger
• Pennywise

The 2023 festival was the first one I had attended and I was unsure about attending given I was going by myself. It is just reassuring that the community of people that attend these events at just awesome.

A nice early morning walk around Roundhay is always a great way to take in some clear air and just reset from a busy week. You cannot argue to beauty of the place.

There is a great topic currently underway around the best UK coffee roasters.

I have not always had an interest in data privacy. Actually, it took me moving in to being a data engineer in the marketing world to really realise the intense nature of data capture.

Like, I am sure, a large proprotion of the privacy aware population, it is not that there is anything to hide, just that privacy of data should be a right. It is one of the reasons I stepped away from most social networks, try to de-Google as much as I can and take care in my data landscape.

But, how does everyone else manage theirs? It would be good to share some useful tips, resources, tools, etc. that the wider community (as it grows) can use.

For me, I use:

• A VPN (Mullvad in this case)
• Firefox with 'some' hardening (don't want to totally cripple the online experience)
• Windows OS with telemtry disabled across the system (never perfect but I am happy)
• Simplewall (Windows App) to manage some outbound traffic
• Random password generators (exact logic is incredibly unique to me)
• Android (mobile) with as much telemetry disabled as possible
• Privacy Guides, a great website to keep atop of new updates
• Various threat landscape blogs and podcasts

Listing it out, it sounds like I do a lot but this is pretty tame. I accept that there is a balance between user experience and privacy. Yes, I could totally de-Google my phone but then a lot of useful functionality is lost. Same with Windows, I could move to Linux full-time (and would if I could) but I am a gamer and, while Linux is improving in that landscape, it ain't great just yet.

After a few years out due to many pandemic related cancellations, we are really back in the swing of it! I love nothing more than being in the thick of it.

I kicked it off with a pre-SlamDunk gig, the NOFX final tour in Leeds. I had always wanted to see them and they were supported by some amazing bands including Comback Kid, Less Than Jack and Lagwagon. Despite only being 2 days before I was attending SlamDunk, it just had to happen and was a great precurser for the SlamDunk Festival itself.

Anyway, I have some more lined up in Leeds:

• Holding Absence
• Punk Rock Factory
• The Amity Affliction (supported by Comeback Kid)
• Static Dress

Likely not going to stop there and already booked Bowling for Soup next year.

So, what is everyone else attending?

After years of the festival being on my doorstep in Leeds, I decided to go this year. Let's ignore for now the general organisation with food and over population... ...the day itself was awesome!

The moment I stepped in I was met by Zebrahead starting there set and it did not dissapoint. These guys are genuinely incredible.

So, what stories do we have? Did you attend Leeds, Hatfield or even go further to the 1st international SlamDunk in Italy?

Let's hear it all and let's discuss who we would like to see headlining in 2024!

OK, so this is a big ask but we should be able to create a list of excellent music communuties covering, genres, bands, artists, instruments and anything else we feel is great to add.

While this is the UK music scene, it can easily include references to music topics from around the world but focussed on the amazing UK followers.

You know the drill, if you know of a community, would like to see one exist or happy to spin one up then leave a comment and I will add it to the list.

General/Genric Communities

• UK Music

Gigs, Festivals & Events

• Glastonbury Festival
• Download Festival
• Eurovision
• Reading and Leeds Festival
• Bestival
• Latitude
• Slam Dunk North and South

Genres

• Punk & Rock
• Jazz
• Electronic (EDM)
• Techno
• Dubstep
• R&B
• Rap & Hip-Hop
• Country
• Pop
• Classical
• Extreme Metal
• Heavy Metal / Death Metal
• Goth
• Emo
• Prog Rock
• Post Punk
• Drum & Bass

Bands

• Muse
• The Beatles
• The Who
• Elton John
• Rolling Stones
• Creeper

Other Topics

• Instrument - Bass

A chance to curate a list of the UK Rugby League & Union teams. Whether you know of an existing group or want to create and moderate one, use this space to let me know and I will keep the list up-to-date.

Please use the comments to:

• Let me know if I have missed a team
• Send me a link to an existing/new community

Overall Community

• UK Rugby League
• UK Rugby Union

UK Super League Teams (Individual)

• Castleford Tigers
• Catalans Dragons
• Huddersfield Giants
• Hull FC
• Hull KR
• Leeds Rhinos
• Leigh Leopards
• Salford Red Devils
• St Helens
• Wakefield Trinity
• Warrington Wolves
• Wigan Warriors

UK Rugby Union Teams (Individual)

Will need to populate this one as not a union guy (sorry)