Yep, I went to Warped Tour again, so as is traditional on this blog I'll write a night-of review. Last time I went to Warped was in 2006 (I was going to go in 2007 but I wound up going to Carolina the same week), so it's been a while.
First, why don't they put a schedule online? Or at least on their iPhone app? I know things can change but a general idea would be nice. One of the bands Laura wanted to see was Reel Big Fish, so we got there super early and bought our tickets and planned to drink in the parking lot for a bit - and then Reel Big Fish played at 11 and we missed them. This happens every time.
We walked in and playing on the main stage was Face to Face (hey the same as my first Warped in 2003 with a "farewell tour" by them in between!). Pretty much all of the bands I wanted to see were on the main stage this year. I remember previous years bouncing around between stages and having all kinds of time conflicts (and buying at least 3-4 CDs at the show). No more. Apparently I've outgrown the new bands.
We started looking for the Epitaph merch tent because Laura said they would have some free SWAG. But we couldn't find it anywhere! We saw all these kids with Epitaph bags so finally Kelli asked some of them where the tent was but we just got a vague "over that hill" answer. I swear we literally searched every inch of that park but no Epitaph tent to be found.
Kelli watched Andrew WK while Laura and I had a sit. It was still cloudy early in the day. The first band we actually watched was the Motion City Soundtrack. They were okay, I don't know enough of their songs. After that was The All American Rejects. They put on a good set. They strike me as kind of girly pop-punk, but they always want the crowd to mosh and get wild for them. It never works. Between the two bands, We The Kings played. We didn't catch much of their set, but they did cover "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World.
Around the end of their set the sun started coming out, and it got hot quick. I spent literally all of my money on drinks to keep myself and Laura hydrated (and a terrible $6 cheeseburger, McDonald's would have been embarrassed to serve this thing). After a drink break we watched Sum 41 on the indoor stage. They probably drew the biggest crowd of the day, and put on a decent set. My feet were tired so I took advantage of the seating.
After that we went back outside and watched Every Time I Die. They're a good band, but I hate their attitude. They have this, "We're a Buffalo band, so you should love us more than any other band, and also give us the biggest mosh pit," vibe. Well not really a vibe because they come right out and say it. A.) It's too hot to mosh, why does every band demand a giant mosh pit? and B.) You're okay but not THAT good, stop acting like God's gift to Buffalo.
After Every Time I Die, Alkaline Trio came on the main stage. They were easily the best band of the day. Matt wore a terrible hat, and they played a nice mix of new and old songs. The crowd really got into them.
Speaking of the crowd, every set we watched, there was at least one person next to us smoking pot. I understand pot & music festivals were made for each other, but I had no idea just how prevalent it was.
After Alkaline Trio we stuck around to watch The Bouncing Souls. I used to like them, but I don't know a lot of their music. Interestingly they probably had the biggest mosh pit of the day (take that ETID). But their set seemed to drag on forever because after every song they seemed shocked that they still had time left. How hard is it to fill half an hour? I'm surprised veteran bands will even play Warped, because you have to tour around in the middle of the summer (I can't imagine doing it in a place like Texas or Florida, the heat is always brutal midday in Buffalo), you get a half hour set, and I can't imagine they get paid a ton. But anyways, the Bouncing Souls even had a guest band come on and play a song, and still had trouble filling a half hour set.
After they wrapped it up, Bring Me the Horizon started stinking up the joint, and we headed for the exits. Another successful Warped Tour, though after the heat and my dwindling interest in most of the bands, I wouldn't mind if this was my last. | 
