After a lengthy 11-year absence from Australia, the Vans Warped Tour finally graced our shores once again.
Even though crowds were half the numbers you’d see at Soundwave – possibly attributed to the clash with day two of Stereosonic – it meant the true fans and music lovers were out, making for a great atmosphere throughout the day.
While many had the idea of spending the sunny Sunday relaxing along Darling Harbour, the usual peace and quiet was broken as sounds of drums, guitars, and screams could be heard in the distance
On the way to the main stage, free CDs, iced teas, and condoms were handed to punters at every metre. In the distance, Jenna McDougall’s blazing green hair could be seen tearing across the stage.
Smashing out songs from both their past album What Are You So Scared Of? (‘Breaking And Entering’, ‘What Are You So Scared Of?’, ‘Listening’) and from their most recent record The Other Side (‘The Ocean’, ‘Lonely Girl’), homegrown band Tonight Alive proved to be Australia’s version of Paramore.
With constant energy and inspirational speeches, audiences were shown firsthand just why this band has managed to rise so quickly to the top.
Aside from the towering, inflated timetable, another unique and downright awesome feature of the day was the skate ramp placed in the middle of it all.
Numerous flips were performed on the bright blue ramp, and it was the perfect way to keep the people entertained while they waited for their next favourite band to hit the stage. From the 10-year-old girl sporting a bright pink helmet to the 50-something man showing that he still ‘had it’, the BMX and skateboarders brought out the essence of the whole festival.
Reel Big Fish, a band that always proves to be an interesting act with their trumpets, assorted array of Hawaiian shirts, and marching band-like uniforms, pleased the crowd – especially when playing ‘Sell Out’, ‘She’s Got A Girlfriend Now’, and ‘Take Me On’.
The six-piece were also one of the many bands to yell out “hello” to the rich people who continuously pulled their boats up to watch a free show from the water.
The musos on stage made a point of telling the people that they wouldn’t get away with it, proclaiming, “AJ put mines in the water”.
The Used graced the main stage next and, as always, delivered a show that ensured a solid mosh pit full of circles and walls of death.
Always knowing how to please a crowd, the four-piece stuck more to their heavier, older tunes, playing ‘Listening’, ‘Pretty Handsome Awkward’, ‘The Bird And The Worm’, ‘I Caught Fire’, ‘All That I’ve Got’, and ‘Take It Away’. The band also cracked out some newbies, including ‘I Come Alive’.
Though he no longer sports pink locks, Bert McCracken did pay tribute to the ultimate rock star Kurt Cobain, even mashing-up ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ into their final song.
The Used gave an inspirational set and left everyone feeling as if they could change the world. The members definitely left behind a ‘power to the people’ message.
As slight aches in the feet started to emerge, many sat down on the burning concrete to listen to some New Found Glory.
The American act played their album Sticks And Stones in its entirety, perhaps in the hope of pleasing fans that had previously complained about the lack of old tunes on the bill. It’s safe to say that not a lot of talking happened during the set. The five-piece smashed out song after song and also managed to squeeze in a few others from their most recent live recording Kill It Live, including ‘All Downhill From Here’.
The regular Soundwave touring band The Amity Affliction drew themselves one hell of a crowd, and it felt like absolutely everyone was screaming along to ‘Youngbloods’, ‘Anchors’, and ‘Born To Die’.
Just when the seriously sunburnt punters started to cradle their limbs under the sunset, Simple Plan came out to a screaming crowd.
The French-Canadian band dished out quite an entertaining set. They played their radio smash-hits ‘Summer Paradise’ and ‘Jetlag’, a song that saw Jenna McDougall return to the main stage to sing a duet. They also went back in time to what some may call ‘the better days’, bringing out the 2009 songs ‘Shut Up’ and ‘Welcome To My Life.
The set ended with ‘Perfect’, a song that started off as an acoustic number before bursting to life with the full band, ensuring the close of their time on the Sydney stage ended on a high.
Highlights from Simple Plan’s set included their attempted Aussie accents, the flying remote-controlled helicopter (that was presumed to have a GoPro camera attached to it), and the chick with what looked like nothing but hearts covering her nipples.
If you saw The Offspring at Soundwave this year, then you can pretty much imagine how their set went down.
The American punk rock band played the songs their fans will forever love, including the classic ‘Pretty Fly For A White Guy’. Even though most of the crowd had probably seen them play here in March for the aforementioned festival, everyone was reminded why they loved them so much in the first place.
While it still has a few rounds left to make, the day showed that the Vans Warped Tour should definitely come back and stay back – because one Soundwave a year is never enough.
