This year I was given the opportunity to attend the Vans Warped Tour through the newspaper’s wire service Moxie.com. Truth be told, I do not listen to the types of bands that are playing this year, so it should be an interesting experience.

This year’s lineup includes The Devil Wears Prada, Asking Alexandria, Gym Class Heroes, Less Than Jake, Against Me!, and much more. There is not much variety included in the bands playing the main stage.

As a critic I am going into the Warped Tour with an open mind, but as a listener of music I’m a bit put off. The bands I listen to compared to the ones playing the festival are completely different. To me it’s not an issue of being close minded. It is just hard for me to give a fair and balanced review of bands that lack substance.

The Warped Tour was once known as a tour for punk bands, but over the years their lineups have shifted towards more mainstream artists. It is kind of sad that a tour that was once known as a springboard for rising indie artists has become another money making opportunity for more mainstream acts. There seems to be a fairly good amount of punk bands playing this year, so maybe I will eat my words and come across a band that I like.

When I listen to rock music, I tend to shift towards heavy metal, hard rock, and punk, so it may be a bit hard for me to adjust to the atmosphere and environment of the Warped Tour.

When it comes to concerts, I am accustomed to loud venues, mosh pits, and general discord. Imagine standing in a crowd of 3OH!3 fans wearing a favorite  Iron Maiden t-shirt, looking like a fish out of water. Going into the Warped Tour, I am fully prepared for the certain culture shock that I will experience during the show.

The Vans Warped Tour will be at the Merriweather Post Pavilion on May 27. Readers should expect an in-depth review of the festival either a day or two after the date.