Adventures at Warped Tour 2011 - Part I Pomona, CA & Ventura, CA
It's been a long time since I've posted a blog on Buzznt, but what better way to jump right back in than with a recap of my Warped Tour experiences?
I went to the Pomona show on 7/1 with my friends Nicole and Bre. Thanks to Music Saves Lives passes, we also had access to the bus area, and right before we left we ran into Sean of 3OH!3 who offered us complimentary passes to the Ventura, CA show. Lucky? Indeed.
It'd actually been a while since I'd been to Warped Tour. We didn't attempt to go at all last year, and the year before that (2009) I only went to the Pomona show, which was June 26, and honestly no fun at all. It was the day after MJ died, and my heart wasn't in it at all, but we already had tickets. I'd forgotten some of the things I hate about Warped, i.e. the dirt in my nose, getting sick after the shows, circle or mosh pits to everything. We were more prepared this year though: we brought huge bottles water and got plenty refills from Music Saves Lives and Klean Kanteen, delicious "home-made" snacks, various types of moist wipes, hand sanitizer, SPF, and the works. Don't leave home without your Warped Survival Kit.
Now, I have to state the unpopular opinion that Pomona's show was 100x better than Ventura. And I curse everyone who hyped the hell out of the Ventura show for me! Yes, the weather was a TAD bit cooler (which in the end resulted in me being MUCH sicker), but other than that... It was just something about the people, the crowds, the performances, and everything that was so much more fun in Pomona.
On to the shows...
3OH!3 was the main band we were going to see this leg of the tour, and as usual, they were full of energy and just fun, fun, fun. I can't say too much about them though; it's one of those things: If you haven't been to a 3OH!3 show, then you clearly don't know the meaning of fun, and I can't make you understand.
Bad Rabbits put on an amazing show... as usual! I saw them earlier this year when they were supporting Travie on his headling tour, but was introduced to them a while ago when they teamed up with Eye Alaska. They definitely bring something new to Warped Tour, and I look forward to seeing them again in August. It amazes me that every band member, crew member, and random that takes the time to watch their set loves this band and they still don't have a record deal? My guess is there are a few A&Rs that should lose their jobs immediately.
My favorite part of Warped Tour is always coming home with that one new band or artist that I'd never heard of before who's stuck in my head, and I have the urge to just buy all their records and see them 100,000,000 more times, and kick myself for being an idiot and not knowing that they were out there to be consumed. In 2008, it was The Maine. This year that artist is Grieves (w/ the very talented Budo). I have to thank Bre for her unwavering 'hoodness' and love of rap music. I would never checked out his set if it wasn't for her. I absolutely loved it! I couldn't quite understand how his voice was coming out of his body--it does not match at all. But I think that's another one of the things I liked. (Yeah, I can be weird and random.) Yes, it's true hip hop, but it's not like what's on the radio today, and it's not so old school that I don't want to listen to it either. So, cheers to Grieves for being amazing and extraordinary. You have a new fan! I'll probably even know the words to some songs by the next show.
Last but not least, it was super cool to watch Simple Plan perform! They're anther one of my favorite artists from my "childhood;teenagerdom" that I've gotten to see live now.
