Vans Warped Tour 2013, Va Beach
July 9, the Vans Warped Tour rolled into Virginia Beach, Va and this little Freaky Pug girl was there! With my children attending their very first Warped and some friends who drove down from New York 12 hours to attend with us, we knew this was going to be the best day ever!
Our adventure started on Monday night on the drive down. Stuck in traffic we were shocked to hear someone in another car scream that our car was sick. (Yes, I was riding in style in the BVB car). After finally arriving in Va Beach at 2am, we set up camp in the WalMart parking lot only to find ourselves parked right next to Attila. We got the chance to meet Fronz and tell him how much we hate the WBC as well. We crashed for a couple of hours then were up bright and early and in the venue parking lot by 8:30am. We lined up and hung out with all the cool people in line with us. By 9am Freaky Pug's very own PAIN! had arrived. They were playing the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands stage and were stoked to be there! Countless PAIN! stickers and pins were passed out.
After getting my "parent's band" to get in, and my daughter Siena getting to high five Kevin Lyman who took one look at her and knew it was her first Warped tour, we made our way back to my son Trey who was holding our place in the Skip the Line line.
It was then I heard that Nikki Misery of New Year's Day was in the crowd somewhere and I ran to find him. My entire goal of this year's Warped was to meet this man and in a few short minutes I did. The best feeling in the world was when he knew who I was and gave me a huge hug.
We spent several minutes talking and I gave him a PAIN! pin which he promptly put on and kept on all day. I later learned from PAIN! that Nikki made a point of finding them and coming over and saying Hi. And now you see why I love this young man so much. Such a class act.
Finally, the gates opened and we were off. We made our way to merch tents because we had some coconut water to drop off to Codie over at the Bring Me The Horizon tent. Lots of hugs were had then we rushed off to the AP tent to try to get a poster for Andy's signing. SCORE! We got three! Siena mumbled the rest of the day about how it was really going to happen, her meeting Andy.
We then hauled ass clear back across the venue to the Tilly's stage to see New Year's Day! This creepy party was a blast and they put on an amazing show! Full of energy and horror, just the way we like it.
Once NYD finished and we found out the time for their signing, we picked up our stuff and were off and running again. This time we headed back across the venue to get to PAIN!'s set on time. We made it and stopped at their merch tent to chat for a bit while the boys set up then we grabbed our spot on barrier and prepared to have one hell of a good time.
The crowd was thin to start with, then they started to play and people began to flock to the stage. PAIN! truly knows how to put on a show that makes the crowd part of the experience. It is a show like no other and I'm honored to be part of the PAIN! fans!
The crowd really got into it when lead singer Timmy Pain climbed the barrier and threw himself into the crowd, opening the pit for the first time that day. He was soon followed by Reverend Pain who joined the pit with guitar in hand.
We are so proud to have had the chance to have a Freaky Pug family member like PAIN! win the battle of the bands and play at Warped!!
We left the PAIN! show and headed for New Year's Day's merch tent for their signing. We spent a great deal of time in the direct path of the sun but it was so worth it to be able to meet the band and tell them how much we enjoy their music. While my kids talked to the band I slipped past and went straight into the open arms of Nikki Misery. We chatted and hugged and before heading out, he once again sang Oh Donna to me much to the amusement of my kids. My daughter got to get a "kiss" from Ashley Costello and was thrilled.
Being mid day we decided to cool off and hang out with our PAIN! family in their merch tent. We ventured out here and there for cold water, shaved ice and then made our way towards the front of the venue again for some shade and food. After cooling down, we wandered a bit. Stopping at the BVB merch table we got to meet Jesse Lee and put a face to the name. He was so nice and we gave him a free PAIN! cd. We stopped to see Codie again at BMTH and gave him a cd as well.
Throughout the day my son kept blinking in surprise as more and more people in bands and the crew knew me. He commented on it a time or two and his sister just laughed. She's used to it now, I guess.
The day wore on and we caught different bands here and there, including the fabulous Juliet Simms at the end of her set. But we were anxious to get to the signing with Andy Biersack.
Trey, being the kind soul he is, gave up his ticket to Ana Pain so she could meet Andy. Us girls headed over and got in line. That's when the tears started for both girls and I fought to hold back my own. This was a moment that Siena had been waiting for for three years now. And it was a bit overwhelming for her.
Soon it was her turn to stand in front of one of the young men whose words have saved her so many times. And all she could do was cry. Andy was so kind to her and held her hand and told her "Don't cry. It's going to be okay."
That's when I stepped in and told him a bit of her journey and how his words and the band's music have helped her so much. I said it all through my own tears and this very special young man held her hand again and told her "I'm so proud of you. Keep working hard." He then flashed her that smile that lights up the world and she was led away crying.
I took his hand in mine and sincerely thanked him for all he's done for her. True to form he kept telling me to not thank him. And told me more than once "Don't cry, Mom." It was impossible to not when you stand before a man that gives hope and courage to so many kids like my own. I gave him the PAIN! cd I had for him and he signed my poster and then I got to show him my BVB skulls tattoo and it was then that he shocked me by knowing who I am. We spoke for a few more minutes and then it was someone else's turn to meet their hero.
The day caught up to Siena then and we headed off to say goodbye to PAIN! and found a shady spot to sit and relax until the rest of our group was ready to go.
Warped turned out to be an unforgettable experience. Tears, laughter, great music and a hero or two.
Thank you to all of the bands, the crew, the volunteers, the vendors, the venues, Vans and Kevin Lyman for all the hard work you put in every day! You brave the heat and the crowds to give kids like mine an experience that changes their lives.
You can catch Vans Warped Tour as they travel the country the rest of the summer and in the UK soon! Get out and support this tour and these bands! I promise you, it will be the best day ever!
