- Christian Doellner
- Lost in Society
Slideshow
Klipsch Music Center
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Just as it is every year, this year's Warped Tour was full of loud music and swarming teenagers. As I'm not too far out of that demographic, and I'm admittedly a fan of the pop-punk music genre that was omnipresent at this year's festival, I thoroughly enjoyed myself, even amidst the hot weather and the crushing crowds. Of course, because the performance schedule was only available upon arrival at the venue, and the sheer number of bands created set time conflicts, I wasn't able to make it to all the sets I previewed and ended up going to some that I didn't mention. Here are my highlights of the day:
The earliest set time possible was noon, and that was when one of my favorite local musicians, David Lehr, played a set on the Acoustic Basement stage (which was really a tent with stools, microphones and amps). He was accompanied by another local musician, Aren Andersen of We Are Forever, on guitar for a few of the songs. I actually didn't know that Lehr was playing until after I'd written the preview; if I had, I definitely would have mentioned him. The original songs that he played during the set, including "Hidden Messages" and the earnest love song "Everything to Me," are so catchy that you just can't help but sing along.
The first Kia Rio mainstage act I saw was All Time Low. I got to the stage half an hour before the show, and the amphitheater was already packed; this was a definite indicator of the upbeat, party-style mood that the whole performance exuded. The set consisted mostly of old favorites like "Damned if I Do Ya (Damned if I Don't)," "Weightless," "Jasey Rae" and "Dear Maria, Count Me In," but they also (naturally) sang their newest single, "The Reckless and the Brave." Its message is similar to that of "Weightless" in terms of feeling young and invincible, but if it works, why not run with it?
Around mid-afternoon, I went back to the Acoustic Basement stage to catch a set by Anthony Raneri of the punk band Bayside. He performed acoustic versions of his band's songs "Don't Call Me Peanut," "Megan," "Moceanu" and "Landing Feet First," as well as an example of his own solo work, "Sandra Partial," and a cover of Death Cab For Cutie's "I Will Follow You Into The Dark." The crowd overflowed out of the tent and really seemed to enjoy Raneri's renditions; it was the perfect way to recharge on a hot and sunny afternoon.
The next set I went to was by an English band called Skinny Lister, on the Tilly's stage. I'd first seen them performing for the people waiting in line before the gates opened, and I was intrigued because the last instruments I'd expected to see at Warped were an accordion, a mandolin and an upright bass, but those were exactly what they played. Skinny Lister is England's answer to Flogging Molly and Gaelic Storm; their music is folk-y punk with a Celtic, pub-inspired twist, as shown in songs like "Sam's Gone Away" and "If The Gaff Don't Let Us Down." The one element I thought was missing was the bodhran, or Celtic drum. The upright bass did fill in the low notes, but it didn't have quite the percussive quality that a true drum would have brought to the songs.
I was a bit wary of seeing We The Kings perform on the Kia Soul stage, particularly because I don't like their newer material as much as the songs from their older records; I don't feel like it's quite as strong lyrically. I was relieved, then, when most of the songs they played were old favorites like "Skyway Avenue," "Secret Valentine" and "Check Yes Juliet," as well as a cover of "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World that really got the crowd excited.
The last act I watched was Danielle Barbe, who performed on the Ernie Ball Stage. She is a girl who clearly knows how to rock. Her voice is reminiscent of Alanis Morissette circa Jagged Little Pill, and it showed during tracks like "Ghost Town" and "Dirty Work."
As someone who enjoys the type of music that the Vans Warped Tour has on offer, I'd say this year's version of the punk festival was a success.
Related Locations
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Klipsch Music Center
- 12880 E. 146th St., Noblesville Noblesville Indiana 46060
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(317) 776-8181
- www.livenation.com
- (based on 3 user reviews)
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