Warped Tour returns to Pittsburgh with more newcomers

It’s hard to imagine the relaxing bliss of summertime when you�re drowning in a sea of homework not to mention the upcoming wave of finals.
However summer is nearly around the corner and with that brings sunshine and plenty of concerts.
Though you may already have in mind the artist or band that you desire to see this summer, there is one tour that is often forgotten yet remains a summer highlight since 1995 by outselling similar festivals – the Vans Warped Tour.


By Renee DeFloria,
Staff Writer
It’s hard to imagine the relaxing bliss of summertime when you�re drowning in a sea of homework not to mention the upcoming wave of finals.
However summer is nearly around the corner and with that brings sunshine and plenty of concerts.
Though you may already have in mind the artist or band that you desire to see this summer, there is one tour that is often forgotten yet remains a summer highlight since 1995 by outselling similar festivals – the Vans Warped Tour.
Shoe manufacturer, Vans, sponsors this summer-long music and extreme sporting event. Showcasing the biggest names in punk, emo, ska, and heavy metal, Warped Tour is becoming a permanent fixture in summer concert-going.
This day-long event features approximately 10 stages with bands that play continuously throughout the day, while you are completely free to choose what band(s) you want to see.
Record label, company, and sponsor tents are set up throughout the venue for added �goodies� and free giveaways as well as band meet n� greet and autograph signings.
Pittsburgh is never a forgotten city as Warped Tour passes throughout the majority of the United States as well as some parts of Canada. Starting on June 15, set in Columbia, Maryland, Warped Tour will travel nationwide and end on August 13 set in Montreal, Quebec. So don’tfear you�ll miss out on this event if you leave the city or the state to return home after the semester ends.
This year, Pittsburgh’s Warped Tour date is Thursday, July 27, 2006 at Burgettstown’s Post-Gazette Pavilion. The venue holds approximately 23,070 people, which leaves plenty of room for ticket sales. (Each city’s ticket price may vary; however, the Pittsburgh date is priced at $28.75 via Ticketmaster and will be on sale shortly.)
This year’s line-up includes a variety of rising newcomers as well as some returning veterans to the stage. Bands like A.F.I., Anti-Flag, Bouncing Souls, Less Than Jake, and Motion City Soundtrack hold the longest histories of Warped Tour appearances from the confirmed list of bands for the 2006 tour.
Additionally, bands like Senses Fail, Armor for Sleep, Cartel, Silverstein, Plain White T�s, and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts are relatively new faces to the tour. Though no listing has been released as of this date, I have found that the following bands will appear at the Pittsburgh date of the tour: A.F.I., The Junior Varsity, The Academy Is, Silverstein, Anti-Flag, From Autumn to Ashes, Every Time I Die, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Motion City Soundtrack, Senses Fail, and 18 Visions.
Additionally, the following bands are just a mere glimpse of who will be making appearances throughout the tour this summer: Aiden, Amber Pacific, Billy Talent, The Bled, The Casualties, The Early November, Emanuel, Gatsby’s American Dream, Gym Class Heroes, Hellogoodbye, Moneen, My American Heart, NOFX, Reggie and the Full Effect, Saves the Day, Stretch Arm Strong, Thursday, and Underoath.
In the following weeks further information is bound to be released on the official Warped Tour Web site located at www.warpedtour.com.
Keep checking back for up to date information on the bands making appearances and the line-ups of the Pittsburgh date as well as your hometown.
Rock on and avoid those crazy mosh pits!
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