Mouth Culture dropping jaws to the floor at Slam Dunk Festival South 2025

 With absolutely no need to prove themselves on that stage and leaving it with a promising feeling for their future, Mouth Culture were truly on best form for their first-ever Slam Dunk set of what we can only imagine will be many to come. Despite also falling victim to technical issues that caused a delay on their set, they wasted absolutely no time once they were able to get up on The Key Club stage. It was hard to believe that they had never played this festival before. The ease with which they filled the tent, but also the smoking air of confidence they exploded onto the stage with, made it seem like they were seasoned performers of Slam Dunk. The excitement flowing between the band and the crowd ran through the air like a tangible, tingling buzz, jumping straight in with an infectious joy to be performing to such a packed room. The reception was nothing short of eclectic from their first song, as they smashed through with one of their most popular tracks, “Sharkbait” from their 2023 Album “Mishaps Of My Mid Twenties”. With everyone hooked and dangling on the end of a single chorus line, an entire room’s pent-up passion was released in unison with an echoing “Mr make ya move on me”. 

As if things couldn’t have started off with more excitement, they then took us into their grungy but intoxicatingly funky, head-banging anthem “No Shame”. With its brutal finger-pointed lyrics and addictive rhythm, they had the room hooked and moving like it was nothing. The third track of the set was their charming lovesick song “Dead In Love”, which was chock-full of attitude and, to no surprise, had everyone hanging onto every last syllable as they let their past longings erupt with arms raised to the sky. Whilst holding this cathartic sentiment, they simmered us into their next song, and a personal favourite, “Everyday”. A song that they explained was written this time last year when they were dreaming of stuff like this happening. Playing to a huge crowd at Slam Dunk with almost every single person shouting your lyrics back to you is something anyone can imagine to be a very significant milestone, and a well-deserved one for them. This song certainly elicited a very meaningful moment for everyone present, on par with the synchronicity that had been unfurling throughout the set so far, as many more people clambered onto their friend’s shoulders to take part.

But in classic Mouth Culture style, the room was spun into another high-energy track called “Cherry Red Rage”, which is exactly how it sounds- rageful, punchy and fun. It was also a song that really highlighted all of their guitarists’ abilities, with their melded riffs driving the song forward. This is also when lead singer Jack Voss chose his time to leap into the crowd, in a moment of trust with their fans, and crowd surf whilst absolutely belting his lungs out. After this, the moment had finally arrived- the final two songs and what a choice to go out on. “Don’t Pull Up” and their latest single “Ratbag”. Now, for anyone who is familiar with the band, I don’t think an explanation is necessary to portray how great a choice these were to end on, but for anyone who isn’t, I will reflect on the reception of these last two tracks. “Don’t Pull Up” is just, to put it simply, a certified banger; there was almost no one in that room who wasn’t jumping or moving in some way when the chorus hit. The room was almost effervescent with bubbling energy, and this continued on into their final track and truly left people almost gnawing at the barrier for more.

 Overall, Mouth Culture just has something special about their music that really hits the right balance of relatability and the fun mystery of specificity in their lyrics that is propelled outwards with their catchy instrumentals. If you ever get the chance to be part of one of their bustling live performances, don’t wait around because I think it’s safe to say that they are clearly much bigger than any online numbers can translate. Vocals on point, with an enthralling stage presence, there is no doubt they’ll be taking over the scene very soon. So, if you do want to see them on their next run of shows, they are touring the UK in October– click here to grab your tickets now.