This month, the 2013 Vans Warped Tour will make its way to the Tri-State Area, with appearances at the PNC Bank Arts Center July 7, Susquehanna Bank Center July 12, and Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum July 13. Hoards of sponsors, vendors and merchandise booths will line the doors, adding to the clamor of the multi-stage festival. Daily schedules will be posted on a large, inflatable billboard near the entrances. Band signings and acoustic performances will be happening throughout the days as well. Musical instruction effort Bandhappy will also be hosting demos with members of the groups on the tour.
This year’s lot includes many newcomers to the tour along with several veteran bands. With a roster incorporating something for everyone, if you can take 12 hours in direct sun, the Warped Tour appears to have it all covered. Out of the multitude of performances, here are 25 talented acts set to appear. Ranging from Americana to hardcore metal, this event allows for entertainment for a music fan of any kind. Warped Tour compilation CDs will be available for purchase, but will be free for attendees who pre-ordered their tickets. For additional information about the tour, visit vanswarpedtour.com.
Hands Like Houses
Rise’s Hands Like Houses are on the brink of dropping a new full-length on July 23. Unimagine will be the sophomore effort from the Australian sextet. From the start of this year and up until the record’s drop date, the band has been relentlessly touring to promote it.
Hawthorne Heights
Esteemed post-hardcore group Hawthorne Heights have an eventful summer ahead with the release of their new album, Zero, as well as a slot on the Vans Warped Tour. The guys have just signed with Red River, otherwise known as Sony RED. The group has carried on throughout the years despite the loss of their friend and vocalist/guitarist, Casey Calvert. The Dayton, OH natives have a deeply dedicated fanbase, and expectations are high for this follow-up.
Hey Ocean
Hey Ocean are Canadian musicians on the rise. The individuals within this outfit have taken the do-it-yourself route in the past, releasing their previous material on their own label, but as of late, have signed with Nettwerk Music Group. The band’s latest record is dubbed IS, and the group has been seen on several Canadian festivals. This indie pop threesome is guaranteed to be a pleasant surprise to Warped Tour attendees who have not yet heard them.
Issues
Black Diamonds is the most up-to-date EP from Atlanta, GA bunch Issues. “Love, Sex, Riot” is one of the more popular singles from the guys. The Velocity/Rise artists have plans to record a new album after finishing up this year’s Warped Tour.
Oh, Sleeper
Christian metalcore outfit Oh, Sleeper are set to join the roster of 2013’s Vans Warped Tour. With their most relevant album being 2011’s Children Of Fire, the band is sure to bring a sense of nostalgia to the stage. The Fort Worth, TX group is signed to Solid State, and with their hardcore fans, are sure to draw a fun crowd.
Silverstein
This Is How The Wind Shifts is the latest full-length from Canadian alt rockers Silverstein, making it their sixth studio album to date. These musicians have years of touring, festivals and recording behind them. Fans of the band are eagerly looking forward to a tight performance from Silverstein, as they continue on touring in support of this year’s work.
The Amity Affliction
Post-hardcore quintet The Amity Affliction signed with Roadrunner just last year. The guys of Brisbane, Australia are still riding and touring off the wave of success that came with the sale of 2012’s Chasing Ghosts. The quartet joins the lineup of the Warped Tour to expand and expose themselves to new listeners this summer.
The Early November
New Jersey’s The Early November hit the road along with the rest of the Vans Warped Tour for the summer. The 2012 album from the pop-punk brigade, In Currents, the follow-up to 2006’s The Mother, The Mechanic, And The Path, debuted high on the Billboard 200 chart. The Rise group has a huge following in their home state as well as nationwide with their alt rock and pop-punk fusion sound.
The Used
Utah crew The Used have practically developed a cult following over the years. The post-hardcore outfit distributed a reissue of 2012’s Vulnerable, dubbed Vulnerable II, through Hopeless earlier this year. In addition, they also have plans to release a DVD documenting sporadic moments of adventure and misadventure throughout the band’s career.
Vinnie Caruana
Earlier this year, local solo musician Vinnie Caruana dropped his EP, City By The Sea, via I Surrender/Run For Cover, and it’s been well-received across the board. The artist has done his time as a vocalist in other post-hardcore groups such as The Movielife and I Am Avalanche.
We Came As Romans
Tracing Back Roots is this year’s full-length effort from We Came As Romans, a record which dropped just last month. “Hope” was the first single to be released off the album, which was distributed via Equal Vision. Previous works such as To Plant A Seed and Understanding What We’ve Grown To Be were met with similar praise to that of the current album. This hardcore outfit is sure to be a crowd pleaser on this year’s Warped Tour.
While She Sleeps
Hardcore metal bunch While She Sleeps hail originally from Sheffield, UK. Here in the States, the guys are signed with The End, on which they put out their LP, This Is Six. Just this year, the guys performed at Soundwave in Australia, toured America for the first time, and hopped on the Warped Tour bandwagon. While She Sleeps are rapidly capturing the ears and attention of American metal listeners.
