Something Like Sound

Covering Warped Tour in Chicago this year brought about a whole slew of different expectations and experiences. Unlike previous years in Denver, Chicago’s date of the festival felt bigger, both in actual size and in perception.

The day started off slowly, beginning with a backed-up single-entry-point parking system. Despite the slow going getting in to the festival, the parking was free and the venue staff were friendly and helpful. After getting settled in and booking our requested interview with Rev. Peyton, it was off to Haste The Day. The post-hardcore act was just that, a frenzy of heavy-metal guitars, some screaming and some singing. It might just be me, but I feel as though this type of music has become pervasive on the Warped Tour within the last few years, often to the chagrin of old-school punk fans.

Up next was The Summer Set, a markedly poppier group that drew a crowd of mostly teenage girls (it didn’t help that they had girls lining the back of the stage, just to reinforce who their primary audience was). In either case, I definitely felt out of place and decided to wander around the festival grounds after getting a few photos.

Wandering led us to the Kevin Says Stage, a small spot where up-and-coming, mostly unsigned acts have a chance to play. While there we heard Gardening And Architecture, a one-woman band with a sound strongly reminiscent of The Postal Service. Electro-pop beats mixed with live bass and thoughtful lyrics to produce music that matched the hazy atmosphere. The highlight of her set came at the end when she was joined on stage by a full band, giving her song a fuller, more rounded sound.

Finding our way back to the main stage, I was overcome by the sounds of Mike Posner‘s “Cooler Than Me” a pop-dance radio single that has been receiving substantial play on local stations. None of the politics of punk-rock really mattered though, everyone was too busy dancing. Directly after Posner was I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business, the side project of Ace Enders from the now-defunct The Early November. This set was another that showed the diversity on this year’s tour. The songs were soft and blue, a bit like Pedro The Lion, but with an electric guitar. At one point Enders asked the crowd to “squaredance !@$#”

Having sufficiently mellowed out from I Can Make A Mess, it was finally time to go old-school. Most of the traditional punk bands occupied the afternoon and evening sets, beginning with Pennywise. Still singing about rebellion against authority and war after over 20 years, Pennywise struck a chord with the audience, a mix of impassioned youths and laid back-tattooed 20-to-30-somethings.

Stay tuned for a review of the rest of my day at Warped Tour, including more photos and sets from Andrew W.K., Alkaline Trio, Reel Big Fish, and more!