2019 marks the first year of Sad Summer Festival, a touring music festival featuring a variety of pop-punk bands. Rather than headlining a traditional tour, Phoenix natives The Maine decided to develop the summer music festival, picking up where Warped Tour left off.
On Tuesday, State Champs, Mayday Parade, and The Wonder Years also headlined the festival, paving the way for newcomers in the scene to gain exposure on a national level. Additional acts included Mom Jeans, Just Friends, Stand Atlantic, and Ashland.
The Rave opened its doors to offer a comprehensive experience indoors and outdoors, allowing concert goers to experience a small scale music festival and the Eagles Beer Garden.
Highlights
Bringing unreal energy to the stage, Just Friends hyped the crowd with their dynamic, genre-bending set; the seven-piece pop-rock band packed the stage, but that didn’t stop them from captivating the crowd during “Sick of it All” and their new song, “STUPID.” Fans were impressed with the band’s musical diversity, as they included a selection of brass instruments, infrequent in most bands in this scene.
Next up were The Wonder Years and the pop-punk natives show no sign of slowing down any time soon. Dan “Soupy” Campbell commented on his hesitation of emotionally charged songs during the bright, sun-filled summer days. “But then I thought to myself… we’re the f*cking Wonder Years.” From there, they transitioned into “Pyramids of Salt” off their most recent album, “Sister Cities.”
One year since their last Milwaukee appearance, State Champs opened their set with “Criminal,” sparking infectious energy throughout the crowd. The pop punk band revered in the nostalgia of summer tours and how excited they were to be a part of the very first Sad Summer Festival run. Their passion shined during “Remedy” and “Losing Myself,” especially.
Despite the long, hot, day the crowd persevered until the final set. Closing out the night, The Maine motivated fans to live in the moment. Personal favorites included “Black Butterflies and Déjà Vu” and “Heaven, We’re Already Here.” Overall, the set was a wholesome experience.
While the promotional materials for the tour featured an endless array of frowning faces and other signs of despair, the festival itself embodied the opposite range of emotions. Concert goers were grinning ear to ear, singing along and a sense of community was felt within the room. Throughout the day, each band expressed messages of support and inclusion, encouraging fans to make the most of their experience. Multiple bands commented on the tour’s potential in the next few years and that this year is just the beginning.