Music Today: The biggest show of the day, even just in terms of sheer size, will be kicking off shortly. The Vans Warped Tour popped up in the mid-’90s, joining a flood of Lollapalooza-type package tours in the concert marketplace. From that class of tours (which included Lilith Fair, H.O.R.D.E., Ozzfest and Up and Smoke), only the Warped Tour has been able to make the traveling caravan thing work consistently. While Lollapalooza celebrates its 20th anniversary this weekend from its one-off “destination festival" homebase in Chicago, Warped has continued in pretty much the same format since the first one in 1994. This year’s Warped brings about 100 acts to Riverbend today; doors open at 11 a.m. Tickets are only $40 (bang-for-buck value is another reason Warped has continued to thrive).
Click here for more basic details for today's show.—-
As is Warped’s tradition, the stage lineups and schedules — which are decided the day of the show — will be posted at the venue when it opens. The “big names” this year include Hip Hop/Pop stars Gym Class Heroes, Punk Pop band Against Me! and Punk/Ska stalwarts Less Than Jake, but Warped is a great chance to find your new favorite band. There’s certainly enough to chose from — you’re bound to find something to like. Though still casually labeled a “Punk” festival, Warped’s offerings this year come from for an incredibly wide range of genres — Metal, Electronica, Folk, Hip Hop, Pop, Reggae, Hardcore and Indie — plus the corresponding configurations and subgenres — are represented.
Here’s a quick selection of recommended picks if you’re headed to hang in the heat of Warped today.
Underground Hip Hop up-and-Yelawolf (pictured)
Cincinnati-spawned/L.A.-based Glam Metal crew Black Veil Brides (read Brian Baker’s interview for CityBeat with Cincy native and BVB mastermind Andy Biersack here).
Oregon Punkgrass crew Larry and His Flask
Early Reggae revivalists The Aggrolites
Young, Clash-influenced U.K.Rock & Roll trio Sharks
(Leave your suggestions/promote yourself or your favorites by telling everyone about your favorite music event recommendations for the day in the comments below.)
Momentous Happenings in Music History for Aug. 2
On this day in 2001, a “renaming ceremony” was held to commemorate the rechristening of the New Orleans International Airport. Timed to his 100th birthday celebration the same weekend, the major air hub was renamed after a N’awlins native and American music pioneer, Louis Armstrong. The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport was soon not the only airfield named for a popular music star — Liverpool officially changed the name of its airport to the Liverpool John Lennon Airport in 2002.
Born This Day: Musically-inclined people born into greatness on Aug. 2 include Country performer and hit songwriter (for Patsy Cline, Eddy Arnold and others) Hank Cochran (1935); The Band organist Garth Hudson (1937); Rock & Roll howler Mojo Nixon (1957); wild-eyed Jesus Lizard/Scratch Acid vocalist David Yow (1960) and Garbage member and producer of some of the biggest “AltRock” albums ever (including the almost 20-year-old Nevermind by Nirvana), Butch Vig (1957).
Universal recently announced plans for an extensive reissue campaign for Nevermind, featuring tons of rarities and an entire live concert from 1991. The reissue (available in various configurations) is set for Sept. 27. Below enjoy a clip from Italian TV in 1991 featuring a Borat-worthy “interview” with the threesome and a live version of “Breed.”
