Sunday 23/07/06 Day 2 @ Vans Warped Tour, Denver

A blinding light hits Gigwise in the face and wakes us up in the back seat of our truck. OMG it’s the sun, someone turn that thing off! Well…we’ve had our two hours sleep. Slipping the truck into gear it’s off to Warped Tour and another day of more bands than any one person can handle. The line to get in wraps around the gargantuan arena like a snake. Bands are already playing and we manage to get inside quickly with our press pass slapped on our chest.

Gigwise rushes to the Volcom Stage just in time to catchThe Pink Spiders playing ‘Little Razorblade’. It’s almost an intimate gathering because most attendees are still outside the gates. Dressed in striped shirts with bug eye sunglasses they bounce to a steady rhythm whilst they perform. Matt Friction is coy and cool as he sings this playful Punk Pop piece. ‘Modern Swingers’ is as catchy as a song can get and sets off a cheer from the dancing crowd. With an impressive bass line and a top notch drummer pounding out a driving rhythm this wee band of lads starts the day off right.

The Sounds Maja Ivarsson swelters like a fever and heats up Main Stage Right like a five alarm fire. This Swedish band starts with ‘Living In America’ an attitude laced Punk Pop dance piece with a New Wave slap in the face delivery. She crouches down and gives a wiry grin then suddenly does a sky high split jump and lands with the grace of a cat…while in heels. Now that is impressive. Almost against our will Gigwise is caught up in the dance too as they play ‘Queen Of Apology’ and it becomes a snap a photo, bob head, snap ‘n bob affair. Sexy, cocky and strong they definitely kicks ass.

On the Vagrant Stage Emanuel lights a fire of a different sort. Their sound is evolved post-hardcore. ‘Hey Man’ starts out harsh and hard and has a great melodic chorus. Matt Breen gives it his all as he ends with a final thrash “Tell your sister she’s a…BITCH!” Now that’s good song writing. Gigwise always knew post-hardcore could produce a song like this and it is Emanuel that finally delivered with ‘Make Tonight’. Catching the feel of those fleeting moments when sexual desire stirs and builds this song is a masterpiece of seduction. Softy urgent wanting mingles with greedy and explosive passion as he closes his eyes and the audience sings with him “Sweat so sweet…” then he stands on a platform and screams “You know you taste so good.” He pours himself completely into it as random screams erupt from the crowd. Oh hell now we need a cold shower.

There is a crush against the rail long before The Academy Is.. even comes near the Hurley Stage. The band is greeted by a crazed, reaching and screaming mob. Unphased, William Beckett strolls to the front, smiles then his incredible voice fills the air as ‘Checkmarks’ begins. All the hype is true; this Pop Punk band delivers on its promise. They play ‘Skeptics And True Believers’, the instrumentals pause, William kneels and his voices consoles “Don’t be so scared/It’s harder for me…” He stands and walks about the stage, smooth and sleek, he moves like a stealth wildcat. He beautiful vox negotiates ‘The Phrase That Pays’ with ease and Gigwise is mesmerized. There is no other word for him but “Superstar.” The lyrically rich ‘Slow Down’ is about the false face of Hollywood and hits the nail on the head. When it’s over the audience releases an overwhelming thunderous din and rightly so. There is no doubt that this band is mighty.