Though DC doesn’t have the space to host a large outdoor music festival, Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland is the perfect spot. This venue is a short drive from DC and is considered one of the best outdoor venues in the country, according to Rolling Stone.
Joel Quartuccio of Being As An Ocean
The ridiculous heat and humidity finally broke last Sunday as the famous Vans Warped Tour rolled into Columbia. This tour stops in cities all over the country each summer and has since 1995. It has become a staple for teens (and adults, of course) with a love of punk and rock music.
With seven stages to choose from, there is bound to be something interesting playing. Punk, rock, metal, and even some hip hop/rap artists are all featured on the tour. When you weren’t checking out some new music, the lawn and the amphitheater were perfect for resting your feet.
This was my third year attending Warped Tour and it was the best one yet. The crowds were so energetic and ready to rock, despite the heat. Some of the highlights of the day included Andy Black, Save Ferris, Beartooth, Being As An Ocean, Futuristic, and GWAR. The unique part of Warped Tour is the interaction between the fans and the bands. Nearly every band hangs out to meet fans at some point in the day. Shout out to Joel and Michael from Being As An Ocean as they were incredibly kind and took the time to meet every fan after their set, as many other bands do too.
Save Ferris
My favorite thing about festivals is the amount of new music you can explore. Even if you’re just walking by, any band playing has the opportunity to catch your attention and make new fans. Stacked Like Pancakes, for example, were playing inside the amphitheater while I took a break from the crowds. They are somewhat local so I had heard of them before, but they were even more entertaining than I had realized. GWAR, on the other hand, was an experience on its own and it wasn’t hard to see why. This Richmond, Virginia band is well… unique, to put it lightly. The giant monsters costumes and red spray for the crowd are sure to get anyone’s attention.
Warped is one of the cheapest music festivals out there and Merriweather is a wonderful venue. If you have the chance to go to Warped Tour when it comes back next summer, keep your eye out for the date. If that kind of music isn’t your style, there are plenty of other amazing shows that stop there. You can check out upcoming shows at the Pavilion here, and a full listing of upcoming shows every other Wednesday on The Set List.