The
annual summer music and extreme sports festival is touring around the USA for
the 19th summer and is once again bringing along what has come to be
expected; nothing less than a great time.
Music all day and X-Games-like sporting is what the average attendee
will experience. Beginning in 1995,
Warped tour has played hundreds of dates in more than half of a dozen countries
with hundreds of bands playing at each stop (in the USA) with about 10 bands
playing at a time. Vans shoes has been
the primary sponsor of the tour since its inception, and because of it, there
are half pipes and the sort set up at most locations for skateboarders, BMX
bikers and the sort to showcase their skills as well.
“Warped
Tour is always a good time,” says Senior Camron Musk, a three–time attendee,
“and I definitely plan on going as long as it is around. This year I plan on seeing The Summer Set,
Never Shout Never, and Forever The Sickest Kids” Senior Sam Siemer said, “This past year was
my first year, and it was great, especially when I say Of Mice & Men and
the guard rail was pulled up by the crowd, it was insane!”
Yes,
the crowds can/will get pretty rowdy (myself having caught a few flailing limbs
to the face and an elbow to the back of the head). There is moshing, screaming, and
crowd-surfing galore as the bands rip though half-hour (forty minutes for main
stage) sets and people get to see their favorite bands, often for the first
time. “I’m looking forward to seeing The
Amity Affliction, they’re from Australia, and this is one of the first times
they’ve toured the United States, “said Senior Zack Eastwood. “That’s what I like about Warped Tour, they
give underground bands exposure and a chance to appeal to a greater audience.”
Warped
Tour has been a stepping stone for many popular artists that are out there
today, from metal bands Avenged Sevenfold and Bullet For My Valentine to rock
groups like Green Day, 30 Seconds To Mars, and Blink-182 to pop acts like Fall
Out Boy, All-American Rejects, and even Katy Perry (who played the tour in
2008). Coach Stratton went all four
years of his college days and got see bands that have taken over radio nowadays
that were “nobodies” then, Fall Out Boy and Avenged Sevenfold. “I don’t even think Pete (Wentz, bassist for
Fall Out Boy) had any tattoos and I saw Avenged Sevenfold from the front
row. Their singer (M. Shadows) got mad
at the security, and I saw while he was back stage pick up the head of security
by his throat, so as Haynes would say, ‘Alright!’”
What
can newcomers expect though? Well, it is
going to be HOT!!! As an attendee of the
past three Warped Tours, I know from experience that the sun does in fact
revolve around something, and that is whatever city Warped is in that day. It does not matter if there is a continuous
blizzard for the week leading up to Warped Tour, the day of, the sun will be
out and in full force as it bakes down in the 90’s all day long. So, you should make sure you are drinking
water all day. Keep yourself hydrated
and make sure you eat something decent, but not heavy, in the morning. Simply put, take care of yourself and know
your limits.
“I
haven’t been in the past, however I’m really looking forward to experiencing
music that I don’t really listen to and getting a taste for something new,”
said Junior Ian Stratton. Senior Devin
Trevor said, “I can’t wait to see Tonight Alive and Forever The Sickest
Kids. It’s going to be great to see them
and check out some new bands.”
For
myself, I will probably experience a similar issue I face every year, and that
is having to choose which bands I want to see since no one knows the band
line-up until the day of, so I expect to be disappointed on that front, but I
know I will not be let day when seeing the bands I get to see.
If
you all would like to come hang out with me, you can expect me to be in line
outside of Riverbend by 9:30 (gates open at 11:00 AM) and going crazy in the We
Came As Romans, Chiodos, Black Veil Brides, Woe Is Me, Like Moths To Flames,
Issues, Sleeping With Sirens, Bring Me The Horizon, and The Black Dahlia
Murder’s crowds.
*TICKETS
ARE STILL ON SALE FOR THE CINCINNATI, OHIO DATE AT RIVERBEND MUSIC CENTER ON
JULY 30, 2013*
We have a change shooting towards us this 2013-2014 school year, ladies and gentleman. A new place to dine, instead of the school cafeteria! That’s right, it will most likely be held in Mr. Haynes and Mrs. Brady’s old rooms, in 3rd hall. I’m talking about some foosball and other games to get excited about. But they do not stop there, my friends; there will be a microwave to heat up your yummy lunchables, or your food that you saved from a restaurant! Although the faculty and Principals are not too sure about how the criteria will be worked out for the upcoming Student Lounge, they have jotted down some ideas for what the lounge will contain. Mr. K mentioned that him, Mr. Key, Mr. Reihman, some teachers will be talking with each other about how they plan on working out what students will be able to join in the fun. You do not want to miss out on this, kids! Make sure to be on your BEST behavior just in case that’s the only way to get into the lounge. Maybe you can talk to Mr. K if you have any ideas for him? You and a group of friends could persuade him to put a coffee maker, and coffee in there (which is what I may do), or tell him to put some comfortable chairs in there so we can seriously “chill”. We could decorate the lounge so that the teachers know it belongs to us!? Let’s get creative and excited for this new idea because it’ll be coming as soon as possible! 
