Going to Vans Warped Tour is like going to Disney World. If you don’t do your research you’re going to miss a huge part of the show. Now I’m not saying it will suck, it wont. Just like Disney the obvious will be there and strolling about will tip you into some artists wandering aimlessly like Goofy, but to really suck the life out of Warped you need to sit your ass down with a pen and a grid and get prepping.
The 2010 Warped Tour Dates were announced last week and like Emmy Award nominees we sat and waited to see if our town would get a show and WOOO HOO yup Hartford is up again. After years of going to NY or MA for our fair share of insanity finally we can skip the river and spend an entire day in musical filth.
Vans Warped Tour has been around since 1995 as a punk rock traveling show. Backed by bmx /skater shoe maker Vans, the gaggle of bands would descend upon a town like a carnival but now.. now its bigger better and bolder than ever. No longer a Punk Rock show, Warped has evolved into a huge multi sensory every genre event. Bands from Fall Out Boy to Jefferey Star, from The Agnostic Front to Katie Perry. Heck even Weezer did a stint. So were talking 50 bands about 5 stages in 1 day.
So here’s how it goes… You just don’t know who you’re going to get.
You show up with your backpack and sealed water bottle, sensible shoes cuz you’re not sitting for the next 12 hours and you’d better be able to haul ass from one side of the venue parking lot to another cuz this is simultaneous chaos. You enter the venue and theres it is.. Holy Grail.
A giant blow up sign listing each sponsored stage and main stage and who is on at what time.
The problem? You and 400 others are at that board and 5 of the bands have already started. How freakin cool is that?! Last year I’m jotting down bands Devil Wears Prada, Saosin, when I hear MERCY MERCEDES NOW.. zoom were out of there and then.. well you’re on your own.
Bands or their street teams wander the area with signs on sticks… OUR BAND Vans Stage 2:15. And you better jot it down cuz you’re going to forget, and you’re going to miss it. The tension of travel is the best. The great equalizer of bands just hanging out is even more alluring.
Prior to Hartford having a date we went to Mansfield MA. An outdoor venue on multi levels. quite a few times I lost the kid like a salmon in the wave of people heading up or down the stairs. Even more fun really, BUT that was like military training cuz she and I can weave our way through a mad crowd and Macys like a knife through soy butter. Were pros. This is by far the highlight of our summer. We plan for it like others literally plan their family Holiday.
December 19th Warped will announce their line up for 2010. This is where we speculate. Ive heard people saying Paramore ( no way and eww and they’ve already passed through it 4 timers like a kidney stone) or Sparks the Rescue.. hmmm… but then you have to think who will headline? hmmm hmmm I love the hmmm part of it.
Best Warped Memories?
There are so many maybe the best is seeing it through other peoples eyes. Watching Mary Magpie up on stage with Escape the Fate was pretty cool. Seeing Madina Lake doing an abbreviated set with more energy than a sell out MSG show was amazing. I find it hilarious that UnderOath has played Warped five times and I haven’t seen them yet. I want to break that record should (though I doubt) they ever do it again Bad Religion is an ass kicking good time (but OLD.. well me too I guess but who’s keeping track)
We’ve discovered so much more. An organization called Music Saves Lives works hand in hand with Warped. Give a pint of blood, get free water and an opportunity for all access on all but the main stage. WORTH THE WOOZE! even just the water part. Denny’s All nighter actually had an after party where you could snarf some pancakes with Sing it Loud and Attack Attack.. how fun is THAT! Free Monster Energy drink, free condoms, free stickers, booths by PETA and other Earth wise organizations line the walkway. You walk off with more swag than a promo convention (thus the back pack… cuz by 4pm you’re dying)
Oh and you will sizzle. One year in the pouring rain it was bright enough to fry me like an egg. Warped Tour means sunburn, no matter what the sky looks like. Holy Crap I’m so psyched! Is it July yet?
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