The following is a reader submitted article sent via our Facebook fan page by Ariel Goldberg:
For the past two weekends, I have had the privilege of attending the Vans Warped Tour at its Uniondale and Hartford stops. The Warped Tour is beyond amazing, [it's] not just the incredible talent, but the fact that you are surrounded by people with the same taste in music as you. Surrounded by people who are there for the sheer love of music; hard and simple rock.
There is nothing [that compares] to the feeling of standing [in the] front row, not because you spent hundreds of dollars, but because you saw the schedule, knew you were in love with the band, and got to their stage 30 minutes early [so you could] feel the vibration [of] the amps inches away from your face. For me, it was also being backstage and seeing the set list; seeing the racks of Fender and Gibson guitars and watching it all come together before my eyes. Seeing the crowd going crazy; the hundreds of people jumping in tune to the beat.
The only sad thing is when you [head] home and [realize that] little people have heard of the best performances of the day, such as After Midnight Project, who not only had a brilliant show, but [also ended their set] with their lead singer Jason jumping off the stage and leading the crowd to the merchandise booth for a signing. Or Bryce Avary, from The Rocket Summer, who I had the privilege of meeting a few times that day, making up a new song right on stage.
Then you have Taylor Momsen’s band, The Pretty Reckless, who seemed bored during their show, and wouldn’t [even] take a picture with my friend when we saw her by her bus. Mike Posner, whose song Cooler Than You is currently number 5 on iTunes, was the worst performance of the day. With no band behind him, his voice [was effected] as he sang. Now, days later, it’s the memories of jumping up and down, screaming my throat soar, having my sunburn as a reminder of that day, and still eating the free Wonka that truly make [my] Vans Warped Tour [experience unforgettable].
