Sad Summer Fest is one of the most highly anticipated shows I had the entire year. The reason I was so excited for this festival was because The Maine, Mayday Parade, State Champs, and The Wonder Years were all headlining. I attended Sad Summer Fest at Pier 17 in New York City on July 16, 2019. The Sad Summer Fest for New York City sold out.
Since the Vans Warped Tour is not cross country, I was disappointed that the genre of alternative, rock, pop punk would die out. The great thing is the creation of Sad Summer Fest. The lineup included: State Champs, Mayday Parade, The Maine, The Wonder Years, Mom Jeans, Just Friends, and Stand Atlantic.
Prior to the show, I donated to the Women’s Prison Association and met Pat, Kennedy, Garrett, and Jared of The Maine. The Maine were in line meeting people who donated. I took a photo with them, went through security and entered the venue.
Pier 17 was gorgeous! Pier 17 is on the rooftop of a building and overlooks the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River. The venue has open floor for general admission and benches. The venue has food and drinks inside the venue which was super convenient for people who attended the show, including myself. At the show I got a hotdog and lobster roll!
Lobster Roll (c) Victoria Onorato @ovictoriamedia
The venue had different levels. The level beneath the stage had air conditioning and a hallway where the merchandise is. The temperature in New York City was in the low 90s, so having air conditioning and merchandise in the shade was beneficial. I was overall really satisfied with the venue and highly recommend people to check out the venue.
Sad Summer Stage (c) Victoria Onorato @ovictoriamedia
I took pictures with the pink banners and bought somer merchandise from The Maine. I purchased were a tee shirt and shot glass. I really liked the Phoenix shirt that was a salmon color.
Your Heart Is Black & Mine is Gold (c) William Fitzpatrick
I also got the last medium shirt for the day which got me extra excited! I took a polaroid with Jared, Pat, Kennedy, and Garrett of The Maine and got my polaroid signed!
I went up the escalators and waited for the show to begin. Just Friends took the Sad Summer Stage first. The cool thing about Just Friends is that multiple members of Just Friends are also in the group Mom Jeans. I was more entertained by the shenanigans on stage over the music. There was a lot going on instrumentally that made me uninterested in the music. The vocalist separated people based on Harry Potter Houses. Also the group started a conga line circle pit. It was funny to see how interactive the fans were.
The second band to take the stage was Stand Atlantic. I saw Stand Atlantic open for Neck Deep on “The Peace And The Panic Tour 2.” Both times I’ve seen Stand Atlantic, I really enjoyed the music and overall stage presence of the band. This time around, Stand Atlantic had a big following which was awesome to see!
Mom Jeans took the stage next. Mom Jeans had a different vocalist and sound to Just Friends, and I really enjoyed the group’s music more than Just Friends. I like the concept that the vocalist shared “Caring about things is cool” when talking about pursuing a passion or dream. After hearing Mom Jeans, I want to listen to the group’s music.
The New York show did not include any special guests or band. The first group to headline was The Wonder Years. I’ve seen The Wonder Years on the Sister Cities tour in 2018, and I think The Wonder Years sounded equally as good live as they do on music. When I saw The Wonder Years live this time around, I thought they could’ve sounded a little better. The Dan Campbell’s voice was raspier than I expected to hear, but the group added the song “I Just Want To Sell Out My Funeral” which is a 7 minute song. I wish The Wonder Years were by their merchandise and meeting fans of their music and they sounded better than they did. Here is the setlist:
- Came Out Swinging
- I Don’t Like Who I Was Then
- Sister Cities
- Pyramids of Salt
- There, There
- Passing Through a Screen Door
- Cardinals
- I Just Want to Sell Out My Funeral
The next band to headline was Mayday Parade. I’ve seen Mayday Parade on multiple tours including “Welcome To Sunnyland Tour” and Vans Warped Tour. Mayday Parade is one of my top bands to see live, so I was super excited to see them take the Sad Summer Stage. From the position in the crowd I was standing in, Mayday Parade looked like they had the biggest crowd. Derek Sanders’ voice was a little raspier than I was used to hearing live, but Mayday Parade always puts on a great performance: high energy and great stage presence. Mayday Parade performed a lot of classic songs and splashed in new songs. I wish Mayday Parade played “Looks Red, Tastes Blue.” Here is Mayday Parade’s setlist:
- Oh Well, Oh Well
- I’d Hate To Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About
- Three Cheers For Five Years
- Piece Of Your Heart
- You Be The Anchor That keeps My Feet on the Ground, I’ll bBe the Wings That keep your Heart in the Clouds
- One of Them Will Destroy the Other
- Jamie All Over
- Mr. Brightside (The Killers cover)
- Jersey
State Champs took the stage after Mayday Parade. I saw State Champs earlier in the year for “Living Proof Tour: North America,” and I was super excited to see them take the stage! I’ve seen State Champs on multiple tours, and seeing them on the Sad Summer Stage made me equally as excited. I love the fact State Champs played a lot of new music from their album Living Proof. I wish they played “Crystal Ball.” Overall, State Champs put on an awesome performance! Here is the setlist:
- Criminal
- Secrets
- Mine is Gold
- Shape Up
- Losing Myself
- Lightning
- Slow Burn
- Remedy
- Frozen
- Elevated
- All You Are Is History
- Dead and Gone
The Maine ended the night at Sad Summer Fest. I was super excited for The Maine to finish the evening because I alway enjoy the performance. The Maine is really fun and their songs are great for anyone to sing along to. They’re a feel good band which made the night awesome! The Maine sound equally as great live every time I see them as they do on a MP3. What I also love at The Maine is that they get everyone dancing around. The Maine released You Are OK in March, and I was excited to see some of the songs from art album performed live. I really liked The Maine’s setlist, but wished “Broken Parts” was performed. Here is The Maine’s setlist:
- Black Butterflies and Déjà Vu
- Numb Without You
- Am I Pretty?
- Heaven, We’re Already Here
- Another Night on Mars
- Don’t Come Down
- My Best Habit
- Girls Do What They Want
- Slip the Noose
- Bad Behavior
The show ended at 9:30pm which was convenient considering it was all day and super hot. What I enjoyed about Sad Summer Fest over Vans Warped Tour is that there is one stage and each band performs which makes it a better collective experience. I loved the promotional aspects of the tour on social media which included Derek DiScanio, Derek Sanders, and John O’ Callaghan talking about the tour. Sad Summer Fest was epic. I cannot wait for another Sad Summer Fest next summer!
Here are some tips for anyone who has not attended Sad Summer Fest or wants to attend a future Sad Summer Fest:
- Donate to the charity for the date you’re going to! You get early access to the show which means you can meet bands and get merch before anyone else. Plus it helps to give back!
- Stay hydrated! Check with the venue if you can bring an empty bottle of water to re-fill.
- Wear sunscreen! It’s easy to get burned in hot temperatures and with shorts and shirts.
- Enjoy yourself! Take time to meet new people and enjoy every act that’s on. You may find a new band you like!
- Take pictures- capture the moment!
Rock on, stay humble, and be positive!
-ovictoria
ovictoria 