My, my, my... well this week has been a so jam packed full of work, school, and the Vans Warp Tour! My parents surprised me and two of my siblings with tickets, after we waited a wedding. I was so excited this was to be my first warp tour and from the stories I had heard my hopes were high! We arrived at 10am at the Ventura Fairgrounds on Sunday with our skip the line passes. We slowly progressed until finally we made our way in, we quickly rushed to get the times of the bands we wanted to see and then we begin to soak in the atmosphere. After about thirty minutes of traveling together we decided to go our separate ways because we all had different agenda's. So being the observer I am I slowly begin advancing my way around stopping at booths, talking to interesting looking people and simply enjoying the fact that wherever I went music was being blasted into my ears. The first band I went to see was The Jukebox Romantics, they had a good sound, and were very friendly and energetic. The second band that I really wanted to see was We Are The Ocean. I had heard of them before and listened to a few of there songs, so when I heard that they were scheduled to preform I decided that I must see them.
This is a side note, but before going I came to the realization that a lot of the bands performing were indeed heavy metal or also known as "screamo" of which I am not a fan that specific genre. I decided to seek out bands, and I do not mean this as on offensive to anyone who may indeed enjoy the "screamo" genre, but rather bands that are playing real music. I do enjoy a good scream once in a blue moon but if this scream is going to be imposed on me I would prefer it to come from my mouth not from a man who looks as though he wants to murder me as soon as the song comes to an end.
We Are The Ocean played a wonderful a show, it was lively, fun, and I would definitely love to see them again. After the show they did a signing and I was very happy to have my copy of their album Go Now and Live signed by all of them and to get a photos with them. They were extremely nice and very pleasant to talk too.
Me with each of the members of We Are The Ocean.
Next on my list of bands to see was Skinny Lister, I had heard of them and all I had heard was good. I do enjoy folk music quit a bit so I was very excited to hear that amongst the screaming and hardcore type music there would be something more alternative. I spent awhile mucking around watching various bands and proceeding to make my way to the stage Skinny Lister would be playing on. Despite my mucking around I still found myself at their stage 30 minutes prior to when they were scheduled to play. I got my spot, right in the front, and then waited and watched as they begin to set up. Finally they begin to play, they were only barley into the show when one of the band members, Lorna, came into the audience and begin to dance. From this point on the audience seemed enthralled with this British folk band. Skinny Lister was my favorite band of the day and I will be going to see them again, I will find a way, of this a have no doubt.
After their show I made my way to their booth, I will admit that I was temporarily distracted by a man with wonderfully pink hair. When I arrived I met Lorna and quickly bought their EP. I begin to make my way to the next band on my list but soon realized I had forgotten to get a picture. I made my back to their booth to find that they were all there, except their bassist Dan Gray. They kindly agreed to sign my EP and took a photo with me.
The day was going wonderfully, I had heard some amazing music, met many new people, and attempted to try to listen to bands who's music was not usually my preference. I also made my fair share of stops by the peace tea tent where they were serving free tea and it just so happens I am a big fan of both free things and tea.
The day begin to slowly wind down and I as evening dawned the majority of the people were headed to see All Time Low as I was making my way to the Tilly stage near the exit. I Fight Dragons was band that I just so happen to be a fan of, and yes I do relate to their song The Geeks Will Inherit The Earth.
They came out and begin their show and I must say that their audience was the easiest and happiest crowd I had been around that day. The only time I have ever seen a mosh pit and felt that I could survive it was at their show. They were fun, energetic and genuine. After their show wrapped up I went to see Dead Sara, the last band on my list. I have been a fan of their song Weatherman for quit a while so I was very excited to see them live. They begin to play but I left after about the third song, it was fun to see them but I much preferred their album sound then their live sound. I decided to go to the I Fight Dragons signing.
The day had come to an end, it was a day filled with joyous people and joyous music. The thing I believe I loved most about the warp tour is how everyone is immediately friendly. You dont know each other, you've never met and yet your all friends. I was pleasantly surprised by this warmness and I look forward to going next year.
