Lloyd Loves Warped Tour

The annual summer music and extreme sports festival is touring around the USA for the 19^th 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*