Singing Summer’s Praises

Punk-poppers, hip-hoppers and genre-jumpers can get their emo on at one of many tours making the rounds in the sultry heat. The summer of ’07 welcomes another round of the Vans Warped Tour, the Honda Civic Tour, Projekt Revolution and many others to satisfy your ears.

The Vans Warped Tour has been a staple on the punk rock circuit for 13 years. The extreme sport and music festival boasts a bevy of stages to feature everyone from the garage band down the street, to punk rock icons such as Bad Religion and The Vandals. The festival also has merch tents galore and a half-pipe or two stuck between one of the 10 stages. With so much music packed into the fest, there is bound to be a band to please all ears. Playing over 40 cities, Warped is more than likely bringing some noise to a town near you. For the tour schedule, click here.

In the same vein, the Honda Civic Tour draws squeals of pop-punk delight. Emo-rock darlings, Fall Out Boy headline this year’s concert. The Boy’s are backed for the 30 plus city tour by +44, The Academy Is, Paul Wall and Cobra Starship. Tickets are under 40 bucks for most cities and seats, so expect the TRL fans to gobble them up quickly. For the tour schedule, click here.

Coming back from a two-year hiatus, Linkin Park brings the Projekt Revolution tour to a city near you. Not to be out-done by the big line-ups, Revolution tackles nearly 40 cities with bands that aim to cross genres from hip-hop to pure rock. My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday, HIM and Placebo join the nu metal poster boys on the main stage. A second stage features a mash-up with Mindless Self Indulgence and Saosin. Plan to work a few extra shifts bagging groceries, as tickets go for up to 70 bucks a pop. For the tour schedule, click here.

Not up for hanging with the Spicoli-wannbes at Warped and Honda Civic? Looking for something a little harder? You can’t go much harder than the Prince of Darkness himself. Pack it up and head to the best deal of the summer: its Ozzfest, it’s free, and it's the Princes last national tour many industry sources say. Ozzy will share the stage with such acts as Lamb of God, Static X and Lordi. The second stage packs a mighty punch as well with Hatebreed and Behemoth. The price is right so get that night off work, and get ready to bang your head. For the tour schedule, click here.

Not done with the rocking? Get the kids and head on down for the Family Values tour. Korn and Evanescence co-headline the show that also features acts Atreyu, Flyleaf, Hellyeah and Trivium. Kickin’ it off on July 20 in St. Louis, the Family will rock its’ way around the country. Your eardrums will be sufficiently shocked. For the tour schedule, click here.

So, instead of preparing for summer by purchasing sunscreen and protective UV blockers, get your tickets now and your earplugs ready. With a little prep work, your Converses are meant for moshing and that’s just what they’ll do.

By. Lori Bartlett
Lori@getinmagazine.com