Date: August 15, 2002
Location: Suffolk Downs - Boston, MA
Bands: Various
The Warped tour was full of crazy stunts and chaotic pits, everything a teenager dreams of. The shows were great, the booths were fun, and the people were very amusing.
We had arrived at the Warped Tour at about 11:30 AM after waiting in line for almost an hour and a half. We were some of the lucky compared to the people who waited three to four hours. The heat was already getting to us. The temperature at around noon was already in the 90’s. The first band that I saw was Something Corporate. I must admit for a band that I know almost nothing about they got my attention. They played a nice set and I was amazed by the fan base they had. I’m defiantly a fan now.
I’ve never been a big Thursday fan but after their performance I can’t get them out of my head. They were so into what they were singing and so energetic that the fans would suck up all that energy and use it for themselves. Not many crowd surfers for this band but the vibe coming off from the crowd told that they were enjoying the half hour show.
We had made our walks around the large park and waited until one of our favorite bands, MxPx, came on. They had the whole crowd singing along to every word. Even the kids who didn’t know the words were trying to get into the fun. Everywhere you looked there was someone going up into the crowd and surfing their way up to the front. Even the band was very impressed by the energy of the crowd by stating that Boston was their favorite show that tour.
Right after MxPx we floated on over to Goldfinger. It was their first day on the Warped so you can imagine their surprise when half of the park was at their show. Out of every show I’ve ever seen this had to be the best. Everything about their show made the crowd happy. From the time where drummer Darrin Pfeiffer stuck a Twinkie into his arse and had a unlucky fan eat it, to the time Darrin lit his cymbals on fire. The entire crowd got into it as they did songs from their past albums to their new album ‘Open Your Eyes”. Great half hour show.
We weren’t in a big hurry to see any other bands between Goldfinger and Good Charlotte so we decided to stay at the Teal stage and see what band was going to be next. That was a big mistake (although I seem to disagree). I’ve personally never heard music from a band called Alkaline Trio. We didn’t know exactly how the show was going to go. When they first came on I could tell that it was going to be rough. They fast percussion and loud guitars sent the kids into an uproar of moshing and crowd surfing. Everywhere you looked you’d see someone falling down. The kids are great in the pit, they’ll help you out if you’re in trouble. Unluckily for my best friend, she got sick and left the pit leaving me to be all by myself. Not the safest thing in the world but it was fun. Alkaline Trio is a great band… check them out.
Finally after waiting two and a half hours Good Charlotte was going to go on. The kids in the pit were thankful for the “waterboys” as they called them who would spray you down with the hose if you got too hot. By the end of the Alkaline Trio set I was soaked. When GC took the stage the girls went nuts over their favorite boys of the East Coast. The band was really hyped up about playing Boston and was really into the show. After a few songs like “Little Things” and “Festival Song” the moshing and squeezing of my body couldn’t take it anymore. Finally during their new single “Lifestyles Of The Rich And The Famous” off the brand new album “The Young And The Hopeless” I lost it and collapsed in the pit. I passed out and got trampled by little girls who were anxious to get closer to the boys. The awesome guys and girls helped me out and I survived the terrifying event. I could hear Joel asking if I was ok and I felt oddly special. After passing out again on the way to the EMS tent I was lucky enough to see Reel Big Fish walking by. Pretty gnarly. Good Charlotte was one of the best shows that day. I was only able to se three songs but I enjoyed the adrenaline rush I got when they started the show. The energy was high and the kids were pumped.
The last show I saw was New Found Glory. They had let the kids go up to the stage so the crowd had gotten really hyped about that. Myself who was in no stable position to mosh stayed away from the pit after being pushed up about 5 feet to the front. I left and watched it from a small hill. New Found Glory has a big fan base here in MA so there were tons of kids watching their set. The band was really into the Boston kids and even congratulated but warned the kids to stop killing each other. “Pick each other up when you fall. Take care of each other,” singer Jordan Pundik stated early in the show. If I had been a bit more into the whole concert thing at that time I would have stayed the whole show. I was sicker then hell so we decided to leave.
Although I missed two great bands, Bad Religion and Simple Plan, I had a great time (beside the whole losing conscious thing). The Vans Warped tour is a great place to see punk bands and even meet them. I had the privilege in meeting three quarters of Goldfinger (John was picking up his wife at the airport) and even one fifth of Simple Plan. My advice (if you’re going to the Vans Warped or any outdoor festival) to you all is to drink plenty of water and to eat something. You’re going to have a wicked time. Just remember that throwing up is all part of the experience. With a few bruises and mad sunburn to the face I had a great time.
Have fun at the show!
For More Information:
• Warped Official Site: www.warpedtour.com