Concert Review: Warped Tour

This isn't going to be as long as you think it's going to be. Just a quick top three and a couple honorable mentions from punk rock summer camp.


BEST PERFORMANCES
1. Say Anything
Max Bemis owned this one, with many of the 20,000+ concert goers stopping by to watch. His performance was frenetic and passionate, reflecting many of the band's lyrics. The six song setlist was diverse and incited a circle pit during one song, a dance party during the next.

2. Cobra Starship
If you know anything about me, you know I've resented this band from day one because it is not Midtown. That said, their inclusion on this list should be taken as a high compliment. Believe it or not, this was the roughest crowd of the day with a nonstop gaggle of preteen girls flying overhead and into the arms of pit security. The performance was fun and pure pop. Kudos to Gabe Saporta for making the "Snakes on a Plane" gimmick work this long.

3. Anberlin
Even though they apparently don't play my favorite song "Stationary Stationery" live EVER, they gave a solid performance. The band was voted as the "energizer band" band of the day which allowed them to play an additional ten minutes. They used it to play new stuff which sounded great. Definitely get their new album which is out this fall.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
The Academy Is...
If you've been checking up on their myspace, you've already heard three songs off the forthcoming Fast Times at Barrington High and know that they're waaaay better than any of the crap from Santi. William Beckett's messy vocals and boring stage presence proved the band members couldn't be further from their days at BHS and are looking a little worse for the wear.

BIGGEST SURPRISE
Katy Perry
I saw the reigning pop princess and liked it. Girl knows she got a good thing going with her over-sexed persona and took every minute on stage to play it up. She looked like a living blow-up doll, bouncing around the stage in short shorts and a halter top. The performance was energetic, her voice sounded great and she knew how to work the crowd. Plus when her cherry chap stick wears off America's listening ears she can fall back on the money and fame of boyfriend and Gym Class Heroes frontman Travis McCoy who introduced her onstage.