Don’t click on Part 2 you silly nuggets, this is Part 2! I don’t know what it is about bands and celebrating the big 2-0, but I’m here for it. I’m here for it because imagine doing ANYTHING for 20 years. The same job? The same routine? The same significant other? Just imagine.
Although this is really only relevant to Emery and Hawthorne Heights, two bands making up just a small portion of this large lineup. This Wild Life, Armor For Sleep, Anberlin, and I See Stars round out the non-anniversary bands.
The first time I reviewed these types of bands, it was a bit embarrassing. I wrote it as a teen girl because it felt like the less embarrassing option. But I’ve matured and, while difficult, I believe I can behave like a grown ass man this time ’round. Which means talking like a man, walking like a man, and ignoring all the technical difficulties that plagued this show very early on in the tour like a man.
The downside of a large lineup is it’s a long show. I know y’all have to work, but you’re really doing yourself a disservice by not rushing over or calling out sick during lunch to catch the opening acts: This Wild Life and Emory.
This Wild Life – still fantastic. How two musicians + one merch dude can make a show feel so full I don’t know, but I was here for them last time and I was here for them this time.
And Emery don’t even act like old farts!
They aren’t old farts, but they also don’t act like old farts despite this being their 20 year anniversary. And to be honest, there’s something nice about seeing bands in the “fuck it” stage of their career, in which I think Emory is in.
Actually, now that I think about, I think This Wild Life is also in that stage.
But fine, money is more important, so you miss the first couple bands. Tsk tsk. That means you’ll get there at least late enough to see Armor For Sleep or Anberlin.
I’m new to Armor To Sleep, and due to some technical difficulties that I said I’d ignore, I didn’t really get to experience them fully. They edged the holes in my head and left me wanting more. And, like I said, I’m writing this as a fully formed adult male, so that’s either a reference to my ears and eyes or a reference to Pride Month which just ended. I’ll let you decide.
But Anberlin got to play a full set, and boy do I fucking love when Anberlin plays a full set. They’re magical and force me to remind myself that no, I’m not a fan girl, I’m a grown adult man girl. Anberlin will make a fan of anyone who comes to see them perform.
Poetry aside, you can never go wrong with Anberlin on the bill. And probably Armor To Sleep.
No matter your job situation, you’ll definitely be there for I See Stars and Hawthorne Heights. Which means you’ll be in a room full of grown up Warped Tour kids. And somehow, that experience is magical. Warped Tour kids all grew up exactly as you imagined they would.
With friends. I was a loner and never went to Warped Tour and have no friends.
Anyways, two stars ended the night – I See Stars and Hawthorne Heights. From playing classics to inviting crowd surfers on stage, it was obvious why these guys were the big names on the poster. Neither band had aged a day, and I learned about I See Stars today! So in my eyes, their age is just tonight!
If you go, be warned your inner Warped Tour Girl might rear her angsty head, but that’s ok, because everyone else’s will too! But long story short, I’ve been gone literally all day. Bye bye.
Want some FYSM merch? Here you go! Want to join the free mailing list? I have that here! Want to randomly give me money? You can even do that too! And to the lady asking me for photo tips, fortunately, the sponsor of this website is a photo teacher! And also happens to be me. I’m assuming no one is reading this. I don’t want you to know anything about me. But that link even has a picture of me.
