Wednesday 11/07/07 Vans Warped Tour @ The Cricket Pavilion, Phoenix Arizona

Vans Warped Tour is a script that writes itself. Every morning the bands draw lots for times and stages making the unexpected the norm. We quickly get our bearings, figure out where the 7+ stages are then haul ass to catch All Time Low on the Hurley.com stage. This alt rock band slams us with bad boyish charm and agitated angst as ‘The Girls A Straight Up Hustler’ hooks the crowd. The harmonies in ‘Jasey Rae’ are exquisite. It’s shocking how good this band is and brings to light the magic of Warped as 100+ bands crank out the best in music providing an overdose of decadent alternative. 

The temperature rises like a Phoenix on fire as the darkly wicked post-hardcore Alesana screams in our faces. We’ve never seen this band before and know none of their songs but the power of their intense high energy performance creates an instant addiction. The Dear & Departed face the fierce Arizona sun and melt us with ‘Tonight’s The Night.’ Their Goth Rock and New Wave blend drifts and soars whilst the rabble cheers them on. Amber Pacific are not the sweet rosy cheeked boy band we expected. They are real and raw. The drums roll, the band lines up and ‘Summer (in B)’ fires off like a machine gun. Their showpiece song ‘Back Into My Life’ has a wistful wonton edge to the vocals that stays strong and doesn’t fall into the wussy range. 

On the Lucky 13 stage Cute Is What We Aim For put on a polished and mean performance with ‘There’s A Class For This.’ Despite the oppressive heat the huge mob begins to show some life, beating their hands in the air whilst the rabble roars. We have to tell you what is really going on here. It’s 46 C (115 F) in the shade and the stages have the crowd on pavement in the sun where it’s well over 49 c (120 F.) It’s literally Hell. The Phoenix stop on Warped has quickly become a testament to the endurance and devotion of thousands of fans. The odoriferous mob is a shiny thirsty sea of sweat and still they rock out, surf and smile. We are humbled.  

The Welsh band The Automatic seizes the stage and sizzles. They focus on the audience with a manic intensity. TA rushes about with sweat flying off hair while they drill ‘Raoul’ deep into out brains.  Alex Pennie leaps into the pit and then out onto the crowd, he’s an animal. We love ‘Monster.’ It makes us yearn for an air-conditioned pub and beer. A watery intro brings in ‘By My Side’ and we’re instantly memorized by these fearsome lads whose Indie rock absolutely kicks ass.