pagetwelve AROUNDTOWN Warped Tour rocks hard to impress audience their musical horizons because the large bands. prices, a water bottle at Warped tour costs about $5, w Hillary Lindwall number of bands and numerous stages make it On the opposite end of the spectrum, Pierce and a single slice of pizza can cost $8, facts that w News/Wire Editor easy to discover new music. In addition, each the Veil, a less prominent band, played a show made this reviewer appreciate the “comped” tickets band has a tent that sells discounted CDs and that was utterly forgettable. The songs that all the more. Arriving at the Vans Warped Tour, it is hard other paraphernalia. Furthermore, the members they played were not catchy whatsoever, and While the cost, sprawling venue and nearly to know what to expect. For those attending of less-well-known bands often sit in their their attempts at getting the crowd excited 90-degree heat put a slight damper on the day, the the annual, all-day concert for the first time merchandise tents, which keeps them closer to failed time after time. Their enthusiasm for their combination of a great band list and constantly the crowds and the huge venue can be fans. music, however, was very evident. They seemed changing surroundings helped to make the 2008 overwhelming. However, at Aug. 2’s show at The first band that this reviewer saw, Cobra to enjoy what they were doing, even though they Vans Warped Tour successful. the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Starship, was the perfect opening for the tour. may not have been one of the Park, organizers were able to put together Band members interacted with the audience and most successful bands on the tour. an entertaining and laid back music festival. got the crowd excited for the rest of the day’s Many of the underground bands Despite the fact that the venue was large, it was festivities. The lead singer of the band, Gabe had similar performances. easy to navigate. Saporta, immediately grabbed the crowd’s Although Warped Tour provided Featuring well-known bands such as The attention by talking to specific fans located near concertgoers with a vast choice of Academy Is…, All Time Low, Motion City the front of the stage. Since they are not a very bands to see, it is difficult to attend Soundtrack, Mayday Parade and Shwayze, the well known band, most of Cobra Starship’s each concert. The stages are far show also introduced more obscure groups, songs were not very recognizable. The clear apart, and simultaneous band including HorrorPops, Pierce the Veil, Every crowd favorite, however, was the last song that performances make it difficult to Avenue, Cobra Starship and Dr. Manhattan. they played. “Guilty Pleasure,” off of their latest see every band. Attending the Warped Tour can be very album, ¡Viva La Cobra!, was catchy, which got One major criticism of Warped Forever the Sickest Kids perform at Warped Tour. beneficial for those interested in expanding the crowd excited and ready to experience other is the expense, In addition to ticket Photo by Hillary Lindwall Rock the Bells proves hip-hop popularity in great atmosphere of old-school-inflicted beats and rhymes. “ Pharcyde,” the funky beat accompanied the food or drinks from outside were allowed into wwChristine Mahoney Legendary names such as A Tribe Called Quest, roll call of MCs: Imani, Bootie Brown, Fatlip the venue with the exception of bottled water, Copy Editor Rakim, Nas, Immortal Technique and members and Skinkid Tre. The group’s victorious, jazz- however security was strict about removing of Wu-tang Clan –Redman and Method Man— influenced set boosted the mercury on the the caps that could be used as weapons if an For anyone who has questioned the rocked the stage performing new hits as well as already sizzling-summer-Saturday-night— uprising occurred. Ironically, one concertgoer liveliness of the current state of Hip-Hop, Rock some classics. Especially when performing their nonchalantly bragged that she was able to get a box cutter the Bells (RTB) 2008 at the First Midwest Bank RTB was even able to make history raunchy party classic “Yo’ mama. in, but security was too busy looking for bottle amphitheatre proved that Hip- While most caps and looked past the sharp object in her Hop is alive and kicking. There performances were nostalgic and purse. Many with lawn seating brought lawn in support of Hip-Hop and its lively, not all suited the fancy of chairs only to find that lawn chairs taller than vitality stood a mob of culturally the crowd. Mos Def’s performance one’s mid-calf were also considered a safety conscious Hip-Hop backpackers, could easily be considered the hazard and not allowed. Fortunately, security youthful and yearning to revive worst of the entire festival bringing was not strict about seating in the upper deck their definition of what Hip-Hop the wild roar of the crowd down to of the pavilion but some were still subjected should be. Together they unite, a deafening lull. The performance to 12 hours of torturous standing in order to colorfully clad, sporting gaudy consisted of singing, mumbling, see the stage. Although this group proved to gold chains, special edition random rambling and walking be a politically and socially thoughtful bunch A.D.I.D.A.S and T-shirts that off the stage. Finally, when the none were opposed to rump shaking as the declared the powerful message crowd summoned him back, he bone-rattling beats burst through the speakers felt through the festival: Rap- performed a powerfully heartfelt ultimately drowning out most of what the Lies=Hip-Hop. rendition of “Umi Said.” The performers were saying, nonetheless, their Over the duration of crowd echoed with pumping fists presence was felt. the 12-hour concert, Hip-hop throughout the amphitheatre as Overall the experience was a powerful rookies could have definitely Mos Def rapped, “ My Umi said reminder that the spirit of Hip-Hop has never shine your light on the world, received a lesson in Hip-Hop Rock the Bells Logo flashes at First Midwest Bank Ampitheatre. died. Most performers evoked energy from the shine your light for the world to 101. Performances embodied the Photo by Christine Mahoney crowd as felt circa 1994. Highlights of the show various facets in the genre’s 30 see…” as Mos Def left the stage. were performances by Redman and Method year existence: Old school; native While the concert was man who sent the crowd into frenzy as they tongues movement; new York city ‘90s street by uniting Hip-Hop group The Pharcyde after generally amazing, annoyances got through stood atop fans’ hands. As forecasted, the bells rap; ‘90s eclecticism; and the latest movement an 11-year hiatus. Sparked by their theme song security. Security was tight, and as expected no were certainly rocked. Snoop Dogg and 311 unite to give outsanding performance he concluded and left the stage open to 311. variety of the songs and lyrics spoke the words that 311 did not. wwBridget Van Der Bosch After a set change and pouring rain, 311 came in strong “Beautiful Disaster” from their album Transistor caught the fans Staff Writer playing a song, “Down,” off their self-titled album. Many fans, attention, everyone was captivated by the extreme difficulty of who were sitting on the lawn, had either left or moved into the the guitar solos and the attention grabbing lyrics. Ending the pavilion to prevent becoming more drenched from the downpour. night with “Creatures” off of “Evolver,” 311 definitely topped On July 8, the Unity Tour came to First Midwest Bank Though the amount of people present was lacking because of off the evening. Amphitheatre. Snoop Dogg, the infamous Rap/Hip-hop artist, the storm, 311 still played fantastically and enthusiastically. Tim The only downside of the concert was the venue. First paired with 311, an Alternative Rock-Funk group from California, Mahoney, lead guitarist whom some say is in comparison to Midwest Bank Amphitheater is not known for their sound to put on a blazing show. Snoop kicked off the show with “Next Jimi Hendrix in style and difficulty, was flawless. Commanding quality, and this show was no exception. There was a lot of Episode,” which proved to be a perfect opener. As soon as the attention, vocalists SA Martinez and Nick Hexum mesmerized echoing and the volume leveled needed to be turned up a few first beats started playing, the whole crowd was on their feet. the crowd, bouncing off of one another’s energy and moving notches. For Snoop Dogg and 311 fans, the louder the music is After spelling out D-O double-G to his hearts content, he around the stage every second the music played. Chad Sexton the better. Also, the whole show was running over a half hour went into “Hell Yeah,” backed by his live band. A live band on the drums kept the rhythm going, while P-Nut’s faultless bass behind schedule. The rain was not pleasant for the fans on the would be the last thing someone would expect Snoop Dogg to added funk to 311’s Alternative sound. lawn. A light drizzle quickly turned into a torrential downpour have behind him. The band’s rock/rap riffs kept the crowd going Crowd pleasers 311 delighted the audience with the variety in between sets, creating everyone on the lawn to move into the throughout his entire set list. “Gin and Juice” was definitely a of genres they covered. They played “Amber,” a reggae chart- pavilion or leave.