Warped Tour Indiana ’18

A few days after the Chicago date, I was heading out to Indianapolis with Chicago’s Pop Punk band, Private Instigators. If you remember these guys, I met them at Warped the summer before. And they were generous  to invite me out to the Indiana show with them. 

This was a dream come true to be able to attend the final Warped Tour with a band that had become my friends. I cannot thank them enough for this. I always think back on that day and how surreal it was. 

I went to go take videos/photos for them. Plus, I had an all-access pass which meant I could go backstage and take photos. And that was shocking for me. I had my GoPro so I took more videos than anything, but I had the best time doing it because it was an experience I never had prior to this. One thing I noticed right away is that it was a different feeling not being in the crowd versus being in between the stage and barricade where all the photographers and security are.

Private Instigators didn’t go on till later in the day, so I was able to check out some bands. When I was starting to venture off to check out other sets I happened to catch Chelsea Grin and I had never seen them before. The crowd went crazy for them. I only stayed for a couple songs but Chelsea Grin’s energy was incredible. 

Not too long after I went to go see Movements and let me tell you, they will never disappoint. I love them so much and it is such a weird experience seeing them side stage. The set list remained similar compared to the other dates I went to, “Daylily”, “Under the Gun”, and “Kept”, which went so hard. I got a video of a circle pit that happened and I was like woah that’s probably what I look like when I’m in the pit. As always, it was packed and the crowd was hyped for them.

After Movements, I caught a bit of Ice Nine Kills set. I couldn’t take any videos because there was a certain pass needed, so not much to say about them. But from what I caught, the vocalist Spenser, has amazing vocals live. His screams were super clean.

Then, I had to take my dad to see Tonight Alive. As always, he really enjoyed seeing them. I was side stage for them. The crowd was a bit spacey. Tonight Alive is more of a chill, laid back band but they had the crowd going. During one song, the vocalist Jenna told people to crowdsurf. Once the set was done he said that he was strongly considering crowd surfing. But I had never seen so many people up in the air at once before. 

After some lighter, not so heavy music, I knew I couldn’t miss Knocked Loose. They’ve become one of my favorite bands but their set was sick. Backstage was packed, the photo pit was filled and the crowd really showed up. They played a bunch of songs from their album “Laugh Tracks.” I can’t remember if they played any from “Pop Culture” most likely “All My Friends” but some songs they did play were “Oblivious Peak,” “Billy No Mates,” “The Rain.” And of course the best one minute song anyone has heard, “Counting Worms.” For every song, there was always a pit happening. I don’t recall seeing any two steppers, but it was Warped so I’m not that surprised. 

After Knocked Loose, I headed back stage and everyone was putting their gear away but Bryan from Knocked Loose was just standing there. So I walked up to him and talked for a few minutes about his set. 

And then the band I was waiting to see all day, Private Instigators played the Full Sail stage, and they rocked it. The amount of energy they put while performing is intense. The drummer, Tommy, gives it his all, as well as Keith, bassist, and Dominick, guitarist, always kill it when they perform. Their songs are fun to move around to. Every now and then, I had to put down the camera to enjoy their set. Much love to those guys. They are amazing people and fantastic bands. But here’s a live video I took of their song “Don’t You Know Your Love Is Free.” 

I wasn’t expecting to see The Amity AfflictionWhile packing some stuff up for Private Instigators, luckily I heard the end of “All Fucked Up” and my face lit up. I ran backstage and hopped in front of where the security stays. No photographers were there only the bands videographer and security. I was singing my heart out for those few songs. After that they played “Doomsday” and the song everyone knows and loves “Pittsburgh.” During that song, he stood on a speaker up close and I fist bumped him; it was great. 

Once again, I hopped backstage and I was able to meet Joel from The Amity Affliction. I mentioned I’ve seen them before, how great their music is and I got a picture with him.

For this being my last Warped ever this experience with the all access pass made it a memorable one. Last year shows, even the shows before this one I was running around in the pit and this time hit differently. And I cannot thank Private Instigators enough for giving me this opportunity. 

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