The inaugural Sad Summer Festival just wrapped up its first trek across North American this weekend. The 17-city tour was created as an extension of The Maine’s hometown of Arizona based 8123 Fest. Though there are comparisons to the Vans Warped Tour, a traveling pop-punk tour that takes place outdoors, Sad Summer differs in the number of band's performing, only one stage, and its mission to partner with various charities across the country to raise support, awareness and donations for non-profits.
Though the lineup of the tour was subject to change pending on location, The Maine, Mayday Parade, State Champs, and Mom Jeans were on all dates. Every Avenue, Four Year Strong, Set It Off, Forever The Sickest Kids and The Wonder Years were on a portion of the tour. The Maine's frontman John O'Callaghan commented on the new festival prior to it's kickoff
"What could be better than being emo with your best friends in the sweet summer sun? Being emotional with your friends in the sweet summer sun at the Sad Summer Festival, that’s what.”
We caught up with the traveling rock fest at its final date in Southern, California. The heat was in full force as one could expect on an afternoon in the middle of summer, but the festival crew was sure to pass out water bottles and spritz dedicated music fans with mists of water while they waited for the next band to play. From the energetic sets, to Jack Barakat crowd surfing inside of an inflatable unicorn, we documented from Sad Summer Festival's final stop in Anaheim, California in the gallery above!
