This summer will be my fifth year going to (and fourth year photographing) the Vans Warped Tour and while some of you may be a little overwhelmed with how many bands are playing, I am going to tell you the five bands you MUST catch this summer.
5. Echosmith
Every single year, there is always ONE band that I never manage to catch and I instantly regret it. Last year, it was Echosmith and I will NOT miss these guys again this year. One of the newer bands to be produced out of Warner Brothers, this band of brothers (and sister) are the fresh new face of pop music. With endorsements and bookings up the ying-yang, they are slowly growing in popularity (kudos to their management team). I am a huge fan of their new album, Talking Dreams. Their sound is the perfect mix blend of sweet pop and folk. This album is the soundtrack to my summer, easily. They are definitely a fresh sound to the plethora of post-hardcore and pop punk bands on this year's lineup.
4. Real Friends
These guys were my discovery at last year's Warped. After hearing the hype about them leading up to the first day of the tour, I met their merch guy while waiting in the press line the following morning and next thing I knew, I was at their set and instantly fell in love. Frontman Dan Lambton really bring the energy onstage and for all those pop-punk fans out there, they are band you are going to like. I also managed to snap some of my favorite photos from Warped during their set (see link below). They have a new album coming out this summer so if you are looking for a new pop punk band to get into, hop on this train before their new album drops!
3. Yellowcard
They are easily one of my favorite bands and are Warped veterans. I caught their set at last year's tour and it was easily one of my favorites of the day. Their energy onstage is something that I cannot explain and whether you have been a dedicated fan throughout the years or just know Ocean Avenue, their set is guaranteed to be fucking incredible this summer. If you don't stop by to see these dudes, you are out of your mind! For all Warped Tour goers, make sure to stop and check out any Warped Veterans' sets because they are going to be so amazing to watch. They know how the tour works and they know how to bring it.
2. The Maine
I see The Maine at least once or twice a year and they have been one of my favorite groups for almost six years. While their shows always seem to be some of my favorites of the year, I am a little skeptical as to how they are going to be on Warped this summer. As a band who hasn't played the tour in a long time, I am not sure if their aesthetic really goes along with what the tour is about now. Nevertheless, these guys always seem to figure it out in the end and with their latest album, Forever Halloween, still being a constant on my daily playlists, their set definitely isn't going to disappoint. Again, this is a band that has a different sound than the majority of other bands on this tour which will ensure for a refreshing set. If you have never heard of these guys before, I suggest you study up and get ready (and pray that maybe they will resurrect the Pour Some Suga On Me cover for old times sake). I wonder if John will bring back the shirtless Iggy Pop persona?
1. The Story So Far
This group of guys slowly crawled up my list of favorite bands and now hold one of the top spots. After catching their set for the first time on the Suppy Nation Tour (I think), I am such a sucker for their music now. The energy these guys bring to every single set is something you would expect at a pop punk show, but what thrills me the most about their set (besides the music) is the crowd they bring in. In all my years of Warped, I have NEVER been in a photo pit and heard the crowd singing louder than the band onstage. Their fans are dedicated and bring so much to their set, it is something you cannot miss. So hey, if you don't like pop punk music, check out their set and watch crowd surfers get thrown over the barricade and sing louder than possibly any crowd you will hear. (or just go for Kelen and the faces he makes onstage, that is also entertaining. But hey, so are the crazed Parker Cannon fan girls that get slammed into the barricade because they shouldn't be in the pit).
And for shits....
The "Don't Fucking See Them" Award goes to
Falling In Reverse
Because Ronnie Radke.
Let us take in the good old times with this video ---> here.
(Shout out to my girl, Teri!)
And check out my photos from the past Warped Tours:
Hope all is well.
Just love me:
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