We’re out in force at this weekend’s Ventura Warped Tour date, and our intrepid reporter Lauren Novik has put together her five must-sees for the day… check them out below…
Warped Tour is going down in t-minus two days & counting here in Ventura, California and we’re more than a little amped to head down to the fest this Sunday Funday. Naturally, we’ve been getting down & dirty with the lineup and making pseudo schedules comprised of bands that cannot be missed. We’re expecting some layover when the set times come out the morning of, but before that has a chance to dash any of our dreams we’ve decided the following five bands are not to be missed, come hell or high water. (Who are we kidding, this is L.A.- there will be no high-water to deal with. Leave your wellies at home, dude.)
Now it’s no secret that we’re beyond excited to revisit tried & true faves like Motion City Soundtrack, Reel Big Fish, Silverstein, & the Wonder Years but this years I’m all about seeing the following live & in living colour:
ECHOSMITH
http://www.echosmith.com/
We caught these guys back in April at the Warped Tour kick-off party in L.A. and it was total lust at first listen. I’m pretty amped to see what they’ll be able to do in front of the warped crowds after seeing their previous onstage performance where they were able to amp up an insane amount of people with exceedingly high expectations. I’m sure they’ll bring it on Sunday. Spoiler alert: last time the lead Sydney ping-ponged around stage with such high energy her phone literally jumped ship from her pocket. You definitely don’t want to miss what they’ve got in store.
FOREVER THE SICKEST KIDS
http://ftskonline.com/
I guess everything is bigger in Texas, because the pop/punk packed into each of FTSK’s tracks is larger than life. I’ve had them on heavy rotation for the past 24 hours and I’m pretty sure they’ll hold steady on my playlist until I get my live music fix come Sunday care/of the Dallas bred band. Need a little help getting amped? Check out ‘She’s a Lady’ and that’s just a taste-test of what the band has to offer.
HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS
http://www.hawthorneheights.com/
A few years ago Hawthorne Heights had us all hooked when they stormed onto the scene with ‘Ohio Is For Lovers.’ Ever since they’ve been in and out of our lives with their addicting albums and emo-rock sound and in just a few days, their latest album ‘ZERO’ is set to be released. I’m pretty amped to see what their live show will have us in store for- especially considering the last time I was lucky enough to see them up close & personal was on the ‘Black Clouds & Underdogs’ tour with Fall Out Boy in 2006!
ALVAREZ KINGS
http://www.alvarezkings.com/
The indie band straight out of Sheffield is gracing this year’s Vans Warped Tour with their presence, and we couldn’t be more amped to catch them live before they blow up. I’ve heard a lot of talk about their onstage energy & attitude and although I’m a self-proclaimed pop/punk fiend, I’m looking forward to getting a taste of something slightly different on Sunday in the interim- and Alvarez Kings is looking like it’ll do just that. Let’s see what everyone across the pond has been talking about!
ARCHITECTS
http://www.architectsofficial.com/
Now, I’m definitely more than a little excited to catch these guys on this side of the pond after watching them blow people’s minds at both Sonisphere and Hevy fest (among others) in 2011. The severe dose of harder rock will serve as the perfect wake up call just when sun-stroke is lulling us all into a summer fest haze.
Can’t be there to catch these (and more) bands with us on Sunday?! Stay tuned to twitter & instagram all day for live updates from the fest frontlines!!
LAUREN NOVIK