Warp Tour: 2011

If you didn't read last night’s blog, you should. It’s far longer than this one, but you should read it.

Warped Tour 2011: I left early.

            But I had a good time! I left at about 6pm for a few reasons. Scott’s ride was picking him up and I had already seen the bands I came to see. “We Came as Romans” are okay, but I didn't feel like waiting an hour to see them, and I certainly wasn’t going to stay for Paramore. Horrible headliner.

            Scott and I arrive near 11ish. We find the schedule right away and start planning out our day. I see another friend at the schedule, but I don’t say hello for a few reasons. I want to say hello, but I don’t.

We start the day off with Acacia Strain. I’ve seen them before, possibly more than once, and like the other times, I wasn’t really impressed. They’re loud and can throw down some heavy stuff, and they have good energy, but the music just seems really simple and repetitive. They also act better than they are.

At this point I’m excited for Asking Alexandria. A mistake. Their album music isn’t bad, and they have interesting music videos. I figure they will be good live. Sadly, their live performance was rather horrible, so horrible that I wandered away in disgust, off to find Scott. I found him watching Danger Summer, who I’m sorry I missed, since what I saw of them was amazing.

Fuck.

I’m not even sure what time it is at this point and I’m rather frustrated. The bands we pass all suck horribly. Attack Attack is on the main stage, and it’s the most dreadful music I’ve ever heard. If you scream, please scream well. If you try to sing, at least know how. Also, what the fuck music are you? Techno-deathcore-emo punk pop-shit. My god.

Now I’m really frustrated and almost want to leave. The free Monster was a mistake. I hate energy drinks and I begin to feel somewhat sick, and thirstier than before I drank it.

I study the map and schedule we bought, in desperation. There’s some band playing, something about a Plague Wind or something, and I agree to watch them. But then I see…what is this?! Automatic Loveletter is here?! And playing?! Music?! I am ecstatic. I had no idea. I followed this woman years and years ago, back when MySpace was cool. She has one of the most amazing voices I’ve ever heard, is acoustic, and sings with so much emotion. So much; at one point in the set she nearly starts crying. I hurry toward that stage, just to arrive forty minutes early. The day has turned around.

At this point, and others but mostly this point, I’m reminded of the friend I saw earlier but didn't say hello to. So I text her, telling her to come see Automatic Loveletter. She will love it.

I don’t know if my friend ever read my text, since she never responded, but not long later I see her arrive and watch the set, so maybe she read my message. Or yet another coincidence? Anyway, Autmomatic Loveletter was by far my highlight of the day and made the trip well worth. She didn't play my favorite song, but that’s okay. She was still amazing.

Directly after we head for A Day to Remember, the main reason why I came. Thankfully, they put on an amazing live show. The pit is sort of weak—I’m used to death and power metal pits—but still good, and the band has tons of energy.

Following that, Scott and I catch the end of Dance Gavin Dance. I really, really wish I got to see the entire set, because the two songs I saw were amazing. I definitely have to start listening to them. The Wonder Years came on stage awhile after, and after a countryish band from Memphis who I enjoyed a surprising amount.  I decide to leave around this point, as I am spent, unfocused, and despite the good day, in a rather ehhhh mood.

I listen to much softer music on the ride home. Damien Rice. If you haven’t listened to Damien Rice, you really should.