Vans Warped Tour 2017 Review + Photos

Sworn In
Sworn In

Every summer the Vans Warped Tour is a chance to gather with people from all across the scene to share their love of music. Warped Tour has always been a premier avenue to discover new music. The sheer volume of eclectic acts community is what keeps this writer coming back year after year. This year’s lineup was an experience not to be missed.

Warped Tour’s stop in Bonner Springs, KS on July 27th in kicked off to an exciting start. Sworn In began this writer’s morning off on the right foot and really knew how to get a crowd going despite the grey skies. It was almost fitting for them to include “Endless Grey” in their set. The band’s crowd had ballooned in the last few years. Sworn In put together a set that packed a punch by including songs like “Hyposcrisy” and “Snake Eyes” but six songs is never enough.

Sylar
Sylar

Sylar followed immediately after Sworn In, and you definitely do not want to sleep on this band! After walking out on stage to Linkin Park, the New Yorkers opened with “Pleasure Paradise”, a song off of their 2016 album Help!. It was this writer’s first time checking them out, and it definitely will not be the last. Between their seven songs, there was a fair mix of old and new, and it seemed that anyone listening was glad to hear it all.

In the weeks surrounding the death of Linkin Park’s vocalist Chester Bennington it had been amazing to see the music community come together through shared support. This bond was strong as similar styles and influences emanated from stage to stage. There’s nothing quite like seeing people coming together to support one another.  To hear all of the love and appreciation that was shared, was something incredibly moving.

It was time for a trip to the Full Sail stage to catch Movements, who are always a sight to see. The quickly growing crowd proved big things are coming for the LA group. “Vacant Home” and “Hatchet” seemed to be some crowd favorites. The band’s set really stood out throughout the day.

Being As An Ocean
Being As An Ocean

Being As An Ocean and Movements may have played on separate stages but it was great to bounce from one similar style to the next. There’s something about Being As An Ocean’s performances that was truly captivating. Although it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what their x factor is, the band always great to watch. If the band’s stage presence wasn’t enough in itself “L’exquisite douleur” is a song to never miss.

Next this writer jetted off to see Microwave’s set. The Atlanta rockers have really climbed into the spotlight. Despite the growing crowd Kansas shows never quite seem to go in their favor. (This was backed up by a story of a venue’s power going out, as well as a venue’s roof caving in when playing in the area.) The band mixed “Busy” and “Lighterless”, the first two singles off their newest album Much Love. Their set had a little bit of everything packed in for a little bit of everyone making it one of this writer’s favorite sets of the day.

Neck Deep
Neck Deep

Although they were high on the list of the best sets of the day, Microwave couldn’t compete with Neck Deep. Almost instantly The crowd broke into the chorus of “A Part of Me”, a well-known song from one of their earlier albums. “Gold Steps” and “Lime Street” were just enough to get the energy levels up. The band’s energy had only grown with their rise in popularity. When Neck Deep began “Happy Judgement Day” off their newest album The Peace And The Panic vocalist Ben Barlow really cranked it up a notch.

After Neck Deep it was time to head back to Full Sail for the last few bands of the evening. The sun had come out in full swing, and it was definitely another humid summer evening in the Midwest.

tiLLie, an LA act with plenty of spunk and some great songs came up next. The songstress’s dreamy vocals were something you never want to stop listening to. Her set included songs “Save Yourself”, “Perfect Psycho”, and her cover of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”.

Creeper
Creeper

She was followed by another U.K. group, Creeper, who knows exactly how to have fun, even in excessive heat. The British rockers didn’t let the smiles fall from their faces as they played to a full crowd in the early evening. If stage presence is what makes or breaks a band, this group was undefeatable. They kicked things off with “Hiding With Boys”, going straight into “Black Rain”. There wasn’t a moment where the crowd wasn’t singing along. It was all smiles for the entirety of the set.

Bowling For Soup
Bowling For Soup

The night ended for this writer with a couple of songs from Bowling For Soup, a way to cool down before heading back to a hot car for the hour drive home. Hearing “1985”, “High School Never Ends”, and their cover of “Stacy’s Mom” was something surreal. The crowd’s extended far back across the blacktop, and it was like trying to navigate a corn maze to find the way out. So many people of all ages came together to hear the artists of the Phineas and Ferb theme song and celebrate the music that so many had grown up with.

Warped Tour wouldn’t be complete without an appearance by the Westboro Baptist Church near one of the venue’s main entrances. With their headquarters being just short of an hour away, it was nothing new. The protesters managed to camp out in front of the entrance. Despite coming to try and prompt outrage, they were met with resilience by both concertgoers and members of the tour itself.

Overall, 2017’s Warped Tour stop in Kansas was another success, even with the interesting lineup for the year. Now comes the waiting for December to find out just how great next year’s rendition will be.

Check out Elizabeth Porch’s full gallery from Vans Warped Tour here!

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