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Virgin Mobile FreeFest at Merriweather Post Pavilion 8/30/09

Who: Blink-182, Weezer, The Bravery, Jet, Public Enemy, Taking Back Sunday, etc.

When: Sunday, August 30, 2009

Where: Virgin Mobile FreeFest at Merriweather Post Pavilion

The Virgin Festival this year was amazing. Good music, good food, good people. I had tons of time in the beginning before any of the good bands went on to kill time with my friends by singing karaoke, checking out the different stands, and getting a photo pretending to be in bed with a hot chick. Taking Back Sunday used their set time to the fullest, playing all of their top singles and songs from their new album in an hour and a half, Jet was rocking Merriweather with their loaded tambourine and cowbell, Public Enemy protested the war and economy along with their sick rapping, Weezer and Rivers Cuomo didn't even have to play their instruments to sound good, and Blink-182 just stole the stage as they did when I saw them at Hershey a couple of weeks ago. Blink's fart jokes and changing of lyrics into vulgar were greatly appreciated as well. For free (well, 15 bucks for me), was well worth it. I even got some laughs from folks in the bathroom by acting like the Tourette's Guy.

Blink-182 at Hershey Park Stadium 8/12/09

Who: Blink-182 w/ Fall Out Boy and Panic! at the Disco (no Chester French because of rain)

When: August 12, 2009

Where: Hershey Park Stadium

This show was a dream come true for me. I never thought that I would be able to see Blink after they broke up. I've been listening to Blink since 2nd grade, and they sound as good as ever live. It started pouring rain when at 6:30 when the show was supposed to start, and lasted past 7, so Chester French didn't get to play, but Panic! at the Disco was great, even though they were missing 2 members, and Fall Out Boy put on a great show as usual too. They even pulled Journey out of their asses. Blink-182 made up for the shitty rain by putting on a great show, as I thought they would. Tom made his sex jokes, Mark made fun of Tom, and Travis, as expected, slammed those drums. Tom messed up his guitar solos, Mark sung "Chocolate Rain," and Travis...said no to singing "Reckless Abandon." It was everything that you would expect at a Blink show. They played not only their singles, but their non-hits from their latest 3 albums. I would've liked some more played from Dude Ranch and Cheshire Cat, but I'm guessing their still rusty from not playing for 5 years. I highly recommend to anyone who likes crappy punk rock to check them out on tour.

Vans Warped Tour at Merriweather Post Pavilion 7/14/09

Who: Underoath, The Maine, NOFX, Bad Religion, There for Tomorrow, VersaEmerge, Meg & Dia, Hit the Lights, and many more

When: July 14, 2009

Where: Merriweather Post Pavilion

Warped Tour '09 was awesome. I got there at 1:30. Left at 9. Met some bands, bought some merch, rocked all day.

Hey Monday at Ottobar 7/12/09

Who: Hey Monday w/ This Providence, The Friday Night Boys, Stereo Skyline, and The Bigger Lights

Where: Ottobar

When: July 12, 2009

I got to this show kind of late because my dad fell asleep on the couch, so I missed The Bigger Lights and only caught the tail-end of Stereo Skyline, but the rest of the bands were awesome. The Friday Night Boys played mostly stuff from their new record, Off the Deep End, and played great considering this was my first time ever seeing them. Their drummer is awesome. I met him after the show, and he's probably the most down-to-earth person I've ever met. Really nice guy. This Providence was great, I've always thought they've had a really unique sound to them. Hey Monday was amazing. I had seen them at Bamboozle, but that show did not compare to this one at all. If I could choose a venue to see this band live, it would be Ottobar. I was practically standing next to the band while they were playing. They were really energetic, and Cassadee Pope's voice sounded just as good as their record. After the show, I got to meet Hey Monday for a second time and The Friday Night Boys for the first time. Really nice people. Overall, I couldn't ask anything better for this show. 5 great bands and a sweet venue to see them in. Go buy their CDs.