The Independent Student Newspaper of St. John's University

The Torch

The Independent Student Newspaper of St. John's University

The Torch

The Independent Student Newspaper of St. John's University

The Torch

Summer Concert Preview

As colleges and high schools are letting out across America and the warm weather rolls in, road trips to concerts and summer festival plans are slowly being confirmed.

There is an extensive choice of concerts this summer, and the decision will be hard to make due to the caliber of all of the bands touring, and the high ticket prices.

Whether your taste is brutal death metal, classic 80’s rock and roll, punk and emo, rap, or jam and alternative, there is something for everyone. Pack the tents, drain the bank accounts, and don’t forget the coolers!

Summer Slaughter

Gaining popularity since its start in 2007, and deemed the “most extreme tour of the year,” the Summer Slaughter Tour has returned. Mainly, the bands on the bill are those of the extreme death metal genre, whom all just released a thunderous new album. This year, The Black Dahlia Murder is headlining, with supporting acts Vader, a newly reformed Cryptopsy, death metal giants Kataklysm, and other fresh hardcore/death metal bands.

Gigantour

Starting in 2005, Gigantour is Dave Mustaine of Megadeth’s “festival that consisted of positive bands that play heavy music in a high energy environment.” The annual six week run starts in April and runs into the end of May, stretching across arenas in America. This year, Gigantour has a shorter bill so each band had the chance to put on a good show. Along with Megadeth (the usual headliner), In Flames (co-headliner), Children of Bodom, High on Fire, and Job For a Cowboy are playing.

Ozzfest

Not many details are known about this giant summer tour as of yet, but updates are expected soon. Sharon Osbourne has successfully put this tour together since 1996 and with featured bands in the past like, Pantera, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Motorhead the reason for success is inevitable. Rumored bands this year are Stone Temple Pilots, Sevendust, Serj Tankian, and Filter, among others.

Lollapalooza

Slated for the beginning of August at Grant Park in Chicago, Lollapalooza has become a very popular summer festival. This year Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Nine Inch Nails, Kayne West, and Wilco will be accompanied by a whole slew of bands to provide another year of the amazing festival. At the park this year, there is more than just music; there will be food, art, and shopping as well.

Warped Tour

Calling all scene-kids, get out your eyeliner and tight pants, it’s happening again! The ever-popular Vans Warped Tour is returning, as it has since 1995. This extreme sports and music festival has been one of the top selling summer tours for over a decade. Main headliners like Every Time I Die, Angels and Airwaves, Gym Class Heroes, Reel Big Fish, and Relient K are on for the full tour, but other bands like Pennywise, The Vandals, and Dillinger Escape Plan are rotating. Among the usual seven stages, over a hundred acts will be featured, as well as, skating and other extreme sports, and comedians.

Virgin Fest

Since 2006, the Virgin Mobile Festival has taken place in Baltimore. This year, Kanye West, Nine Inch Nails, and Stone Temple Pilots will be performing, along with Jack Johnson and the Foo Fighters. This festival is a three day event, with a full line-up to be released soon.

Radiohead

After achieving success due to their unique style, it’s been over 20 years since Radiohead began making music. This summer, Radiohead are launching a North America tour in support of their new album In Rainbows.

Stone Temple Pilots

After Scott Weiland’s recent departure from Velvet Revolver and the hiatus of the DeLeo Brother’s Army of Anyone, newly reunited Stone Temple Pilots have planned a string of festival dates and a headlining tour that will run from May until November.

With the newly united Rage Against the Machine and Stone Temple Pilots, the phenomenon of Radiohead’s live show, or the intensity of death metal’s most brutal acts, each concert seems to have a promising demeanor. Whether you are ready to camp out for a few days with Lollapalooza or just go for a night of in your face metal with the Summer Slaughter, this summer is sure to hold nights of amazing live music, and an experience that won’t be forgotten.

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