Vans Warped Tour 2017 – Las Vegas

Vans Warped Tour, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV, June 23, 2017

The Vans Warped Tour is now in its 23rd year, and has returned with a captivating lineup of bands ranging from old school punk rock to pummeling heavy metal and well beyond. Their stop last year at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino was one of the most memorable Warped dates in history, and they were back to the scene of the crime for even more rocking and mayhem.

Where else on the Warped journey could you frolic in air conditioned clubs such as Vinyl and The Joint, party poolside while watching bands perform on the Full Sail Stage, or mosh in blistering heat to the three additional stages in the outdoor parking lot. This was the Vans Warped Tour in its finest hour, raging in notorious Sin City with an infinite jackpot of talent. Here are a few bands that made the Vans Warped Tour such a rewarding experience this year…

Trophy Eyes

In the stifling heat of the Las Vegas desert, Trophy Eyes from Australia made their way to the outdoor Skullcandy stage and performed an explosive set of punk rocking reveries. Opening with the blasting refrains of Nose Bleed from their recently issued Chemical Miracle album on Hopeless Records, Trophy Eyes definitely had the undivided attention of the early arrivals.  After another fevered cut Counting Sheep, Trophy Eyes demonstrated just how diversified and imaginative their latest compositions are with two mid-tempo cuts entitled Breathe You In and Heaven Sent – featuring tremendously impassioned clean vocals from front man John Floreani.

Chemical Miracle is certainly no sophomore slump, and Trophy Eyes remains a powerfully intensive band whether they are inspiring slam pit action or dazzling the senses within the quieter moments of their set. Many of the fans already knew Trophy Eyes from a previous Warped Tour of duty as well as a recent cross country trek with Moose Blood and Boston Manor. A dynamic commencement for a massively hot day in the Vegas sun!

Trophy Eyes on Facebook

Doll Skin

One of the most amazing aspects of attending Warped Tour Las Vegas is that you can go swimming while watching some of your favorite bands perform. And Doll Skin from Arizona certainly know how to throw a pool party! The slamming all-girl punk rock collective has really been making a name for themselves as of late, and their exhilarating performance opening up the Hard Rock stage was a definitive highlight of the day. Lead vocalist Sydney Dolezal even stated she wanted to go and sing her heart out in the pool, but the possibility of being electrocuted squelched that idea.

But what an amazing set Doll Fire unleashed at Hard Rock poolside, featuring songs culled from their just released Manic Pixie Dream Girl magnum opus on EMP Records. Label founder Dave Ellefson of Megadeth fame started EMP just to sign Doll Skin, and it’s easy to see why the legendary bassist was so enraptured by this vastly talented punk rock collective. Songs such as Road Killer, Daughter and Shut Up You Miss Me are instantly memorable and their cover of the Fugazi classic Waiting Room was absolutely stunning! Expect to hear a whole lot more from Doll Skin as the set the long hot summer of 2017 on fire!

Doll Skin is Sydney Dolezal on lead vocals and guitar, Alex Snowden on guitar, Nicole Rich on bass, and Meghan Herring on drums.

Doll Skin on Facebook

The White Noise

Based out of the Los Angeles area, The White Noise is on the entire Vans Warped Tour, ready to assault ears, slam it up onstage and in the pit, leaving total devastation within their wake. Comparing exceeding well with the legendary punk bands currently on Warped such as TSOL and The Adolescents, The White Noise is ready to spread the genre into a whole new generation of fans hungry to mosh and rage.

Celebrating the release of their full length debut AM/PM via Fearless Records, The White Noise launched ferocious renditions of cuts such as Bloom, The Best Songs Are Dead, and Bite Marks. “Has anyone thrown up today?” irrepressible lead vocalist Shawn Walker inquired before launching into the wickedly rabid intonations of Rated R. With the hyperactive live performance and the frenetic circle and slam pit crowd response that would ensue, not even the oppressive heat could stifle the vibrant enthusiasm of the live White Noise experience.

Making the trek across the Warped nation no matter what forces of nature are thrown their way, The White Noise manifesto is brought to you courtesy of Shawn Walker (Vocals), David Southern (Bass, Vocals), Josh Strock (Guitar), Bailey Crego (Guitar), and Tommy West (Drums).  Do not miss this vibrantly wicked band if you go to Warped this year – completely reviving the urgency of punk rock one kid at a time!

The White Noise on Facebook

The Gospel Youth

After a few hours in the sun, it was time to head inside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino to check out some auditory adventures within air conditioned confines. Hailing from the South Coast of the UK, The Gospel Youth is the latest signing to the Rise/Velocity Records roster of talent – and their set at the Full Sail stage inside Club Vinyl was as refreshing and it was inspiring. Managed by Matt Arsenault from A Loss For Words, The Gospel Youth present their own impassioned take on pop rock and roll – and within a live setting, they leave quite a lasting impression.  Songs such as All She Ever Does and Moods Like English Weather are instantly memorable, highlighted by devastatingly emotional vocals and glorious melodies that set the imagination in flight.

All Lose is the name of their Rise/Velocity debut, which is slated for release on July 14th. Whether you see them in the comfortable breezy confines of a Club Vinyl or in the dead of a withering afternoon heat, The Gospel Youth is a dynamic up-and-coming collective not to be missed on this summer of Warped and beyond…

The Gospel Youth on Facebook

Boston Manor

The UK invasion continued on in Club Vinyl with the appearance of Boston Manor from Blackpool. “You better get used to this cuz I’m going nowhere,” vocalist Henry persuasive expressed on the moody opener Burn You Up – instantly revealing the sense of urgency that permeates throughout Boston Manor’s dark pop punk entreaties.  “Everything you every wanted was just out of reach,” was another memorable lyric from the emotionally devastating Lead Feet, delivered with stunning poignancy for maximum impact.

Performing songs from their recently issued Be Nothing on the Pure Noise label, Boston Manor delivered a set that packed quite a punch to the senses. The vocals were seething with intriguing lyrical sentiments, while the atmospheric guitars and pulsating rhythm section soared above and beyond the tiny space of Club Vinyl. If you missed Boston Manor’s cross country run with Moose Blood and Trophy Eyes, be sure to catch up with them all summer long on the Vans Warped Tour – and prepare for the stark roller coaster ride into the heart of a band ready to break through in an epic way!

Boston Manor on Facebook

Barb Wire Dolls

Time to venture back out into the heat, as a live concert from L.A.’s own Barb Wire Dolls is an event that is not to be missed! Signed to Motörhead Records by the one and only Lemmy Kilmister, Barb Wire Dolls carry on his legacy with their own inspiring brand of raging punk rock and roll. Fronted by the wickedly charismatic Isis Queen, Barb Wire Dolls bring back the glory days of punk with an all-out vengeance, with an empowering message that will make you want to take on the world – even in blistering temperatures.

Rub My Mind is the latest Barb Wire Doll manifesto issued on Motörhead Records, and within a live setting, these songs absolutely rage! Back In The USSA, We Are Champions, and I Want To Start A Revolution are instant genre classics whose fiery lyrics and fierce sonic reverberations are thrilling to witness!  The band has been captivating Hollywood with their wildly successful residency shows at the world famous Whisky on the Sunset Strip – and now it’s time to witness the Barb Wire Dolls revolution all across North America.

If you discover one new band at this year’s edition of the Vans Warped Tour, check into the mesmerizing live show of the Barb Wire Dolls – and be prepared to wave your fists high and proud in the air as you chant “We Are Champions” as loud as you can muster under relentless fire of the punishing sun.  Barb Wire Dolls are Isis Queen (vocals), Pyn Doll (lead guitar), Krash Doll (drums), Iriel Blaque (bass), and Remmington (rhythm guitar)

Barb Wire Dolls on Facebook

Upcoming Dates on the Vans Warped Tour

Upcoming local dates of the Vans Warped Tour include August 5th at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on August 6th at the Pomona Fairground. For all the date and tickets, please visit http://vanswarpedtour.com/dates/!

(Review by Ken Morton – Photos by Jack Lue)

Vans Warped Tour Official Home Page