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Five Bands You Need To See on Van’s Warped Tour

Posted on July 24, 2015 by bisaacs1995

If you weren’t aware, we are right in the middle of Van’s Warped Tour that spans almost the entire summer. VWT is the longest running traveling festival and this is its 21st year. Today VWT stops in Detroit (The Palace/Auburn Hills) and it should be a great day filled with warm weather, good music, and lots of band merch. If you are going to VWT today or just want to discover some new music, then look no further because in this update I’ll help you discover some great bands that can put on an epic show. Without further ado, here are the five bands you need to see on Van’s Warped Tour this summer.

Set it Off

Most bands that play VWT are pretty underground/alternative and usually don’t cross over into popular music, but if there is one band who could make a seamless transition it’s Set It Off. Lead singer, Cody Carson, has the voice and look of any great pop star. If you listen to SIO they still have the alternative flair but also a strong theatrical vibe. For any VWT rookie, someone who can’t vibe with heavier music, or someone looking to see a great show, go see SIO.

Best Jams: “Forever Stuck in Our Youth,” “Why Worry”

Riff Raff

Yes, Warped is a very diverse tour where even the likes of the Neon Icon will make an appearance. Remember that Eminem and MGK are both VWT alumni. If you’re looking to lose it to some hip-hop and take a break from the alternative beats, Riff Raff should be a nice fun change of pace. I also heard he pours Ciroc on the crowd, so there’s that.

Best Jam: “Tip Toe Wing In My Jawwdinz”

PVRIS

If there is any band with more hype than PVRIS (pronounced Paris), please let me know. I discovered them last fall and have been bumping them on repeat ever since. I swear everything they touch turns to gold. Their sound is cryptic and dark mixed with electronic, and with just the right amount of rock. The best comparison would be a heavier Paramore. Their singer Lynn Gunn has pipes better than any pop-star with a closet full of Grammy’s. Not to mention they won the Alternative Press Music Award (APMA) for best breakthrough band, and were also nominated for Best Vocalist, Best Music Video (St. Patrick) and Best Song (My House). Their first and only LP, White Noise, is straight fire. Speaking of Fire, they just released the music video for their song “Fire,” this past Tuesday. They have the look, the talent, and the passion to be massive. As for their live show, I’ve had a chance to see them and they hold their own with any great live band. If you see them today you will walk away with a new favorite band.

Best Jams: “Fire,” “My House,” “St. Patrick”

Pierce the Veil

Adam Elmakias

Pierce the Veil are the chosen son’s of alternative music, plain and simple. If you don’t believe check out their 2012 release Collide With the Sky, because it is one the best alternative releases in recent memory. They are the main headliner on this year’s VWT and should draw the biggest crowd. This will be one of, if not the best show of your day. Not to mention they won last year’s APMA for Best Live Band, so be prepared to witness a legendary performance.

Best Jams: “Stained Glass Eyes and Colorful Tears,” “A Match Into Water”

Neck Deep

http://www.kerrang.com/31032/neck-deep-announce-new-album-lifes-not-get/

If there are three bands at the forefront of pop-punk’s revival it’s The Story So Far, State Champs, and Neck Deep. They just released their second single, “Gold Steps,” that will be included on their sophomore album, Life’s Not Out To Get You, due August 14th. Their first single for their new album, “Cant Kick Up the Roots,” is the first song in a long time that actually blew me away, it’s an absolute banger. If you’re looking for a pop-punk band full of bangers, look no further than Neck Deep. According to Rock Sound magazine, they “won” last year’s VWT. You will regret missing their set.

Best Jams: “Can’t Kick Up the Roots,” “Losing Teeth”

Feeling Nostalgic…

Last year was my first time going to VWT and I didn’t know any bands that had a released a song I knew within the last decade. So, I rocked out to the likes of Yellowcard, Bowling for Soup, and Anberlin. Those guys can still rock, so money well spent. So, if you have that same problem, bands like Metro Station and Simple Plan should be able to provide you with some catchy songs you will know and a great time. I’ve heard Simple Plan has been tearing it up on their short stay on this year’s tour. Metro Station, on the other hand, may be a little salty from last Wednesday night’s APMA’s “diss” from All Time Low’s always joking frontman, Alex Gaskarth. So if Trace Cyrus doesn’t berate you with a tirade of why he feels disrespected, at least you can jam to “Shake It.”

Or Homesick?

They’re are two bands playing homecoming shows on this year’s VWT, emo-rock band Citizen, and metalcore We Came As Romans. I expect both bands to have larger crowds than normal but obviously WCAR is HUGE so I expect a massive crowd from them. Citizen just released their newest LP, Everybody Is Going to Heaven, and WCAR has released a few singles from their newest self-titled LP that conveniently drops today. These bands should be fired up to perform for their hometown, so go see them play.

Other Good Bands

Alive Like Me (Not playing Detroit)

As It Is

Beartooth

BoyMeetsWorld

Major League

Our Last Night

Seaway

This Wild Life

Transit

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Twitter: @bisaacs1995