Warped = Most reasonable summer concert

Last summer I started listening to country music. When I wanted to stop listening to my CDs or iPod I would get frustrated with the overplayed musicians, who use their sex appeal and dance moves for self promotion instead of their talent, on the popular radio stations. So, I switched over to country stations to broaden my musical horizon.

To my surprise, I started enjoying country music immensely. Now that summer is approaching, country artists are making their way to Illinois, and I just cannot resist seeing them.

The picture on the left is of my best friend, Megan, and I sitting in the lawn of Brad Paisley's H2O Tour 2010.

What separates Warped from other concerts, specifically country, is that with Warped tour, you get the most out of your money. For $45.75 Warped tickets are available for purchase. Last year crowd surfed my way to the front at multiple shows. While security was pulling me down, at my favorite band, Mayday Parade, the lead singer saw me reach for him and touched my hand. To say this was the highlight of Warped Tour is an understatement.

Last week tickets went on sale for Rascal Flatts along with Sara Evans, Justin Moore, and Easton Corbin. As a first weekend offer, lawn tickets went on sale for $26.50. Lawn tickets. My best friend, husband and I, purchased our tickets anyway. We will be ridiculously far and probably only vaguely hear the opening artists, but we’re going.

It’s incredible that for only twenty more dollars, I will be able to see a larger number of artists, as close as I want to see them. Also, Warped starts at around 11 a.m. while Rascal Flatts does not start until 7 p.m. There are more artists, more time and no seating at Warped.

In order to get close to the Flatts, you have to be willing to pay. Right now, the pricing for tickets closest to the stage is $90.65. This doesn’t even guarantee a chance to get as close to the stage as possible.

Loving music is expensive and I’m only willing to pay the minimum price.

I must admit that the medium through which I obtain the music in my library is not exactly conventional. I do not believe that people should have to pay for music. Artists like Angels & Airwaves join me in this belief. When they released their album, LOVE, they had it available on their website to download for free.

The reason I do not feel guilty about how I get my music is because I attend more concerts in one year than some people do in their entire lives. For example, last year I attended Mayday Parade in January, Angels & Airwaves in April, two Warped tours over summer, Brad Paisley in July and then Mayday again in October.

It may not sit well with me that I have to pay unreasonable prices for country concerts, but I will. Music makes life important and I will give back to the artists by supporting their concerts. I’m just glad the artists of Warped recognize the value of a dollar. This only supports what I said in my first blog: nothing compares to Warped.

-AngAllOver