Going crazy in Canada (are we almost home yet?)
The Calgary show was held at a NASCAR track in an incredibly dusty parking lot. I saw quite a few people running around with bandanas on their faces to keep from breathing in all the dirt flying around. Silverstein rejoined the tour today and played the Main Stage, since they’re such a popular band in Canada. Alexisonfire also played the Main Stage because they’re so much bigger in their home country. Highlights of the day would have to be Therefore I Am’s set (which they called the best audience of the tour), POS filling in for Timmy from Underoath during their set, and hanging out after the show in the parking lot with the Architects, the AKAs and Therefore I Am.
Vancouver, BC Canada
Our tour bus broke down the night before the Vancouver show, so myself and all of my busmates had to pack a bag and split up between four different buses. Some of us slept on couches, some in spare bunks, some on the floor. It’s the worst thing ever when your bus breaks down. We still managed to make it to the show, though, and my friends in The Architects and Therefore I Am were nice enough to let me stash my things at their merch tents until my bus was repaired and returned to tour.
Since I was without a bus, I did a little more walking around than the usual amount. I caught There For Tomorrow’s set, as well as Broadway Calls on the Kevins Says Stage, who were fantastic. I remember them from last year when they were on the Hurley Stage. I also saw the guys from 3OH!3 doing a signing at their merch tent for kids who brought in five recyclables. I guess being green has it’s perks, eh?
The Gorge
It’s impossible to have a bad day at the Gorge. Beautiful weather and beautiful scenery and perfect weather makes it difficult to find anything worth complaining about. So many people on the tour just spent the day out and about rather than on their buses. Long story short, everyone loves the Gorge.
I heard a rumor that Dallas from Alexisonfire would be performing a song with POS on the Hurley stage, so I made sure I was there to catch it. Aside from mixing up a few lyrics, I’d say he did a great job. I also watched Alexisonfire’s set later on that day. The crowd was so into it that they literally tore the shirt off of George’s back! Check out the gallery to see for yourself.
Portland, OR
The Portland, OR show was Bad Religion’s last day of the tour, so I naturally made it a point to watch their set. I wasn’t the only person from the tour with those plans, either. I saw many people from the crew out here and from different bands, like Bayside, Less Than Jake, NOFX and more. At one point Fat Mike even jumped out on stage and threw a Bible at the band. It was pretty hilarious.
Fresno, CA
Fresno was a busy day. I caught the Architects set, who were joined on stage by Angelo from Fishbone for a song. I also made my way over to the Hurley stage to catch a few Bayside songs. The best part of the day, however, had to be the after party put together by my bus mates. The Platinum Party was a great big dance party and dance contest hosted by my bus mate, Micah Dean and DJ’d by the boys of 3OH!3. People really got down, too! It may actually be one of the craziest dance parties I’ve ever been to, and was voted the best after party of Warped ’09. Check out the photos in the gallery! — Erin Caruso
