Front Row Pics: Vans Warped Tour 2014 in Mansfield, MA
Ice Nine Kills
By Drew Pion
Perfect weather, eager fans, and great music… that pretty much sums up Vans Warped Tour 2014 in Mansfield, MA. This year was my first time attending (and of course getting to photography) a Warped Tour date and the day lived up ~ no, I’d have to say exceeded ~ my expectations. The whole event was extremely well-organized and even with an insanely packed schedule of performances, bands started right on time ~ a feat not often accomplished even at much smaller festivals!
The artists on the tour made themselves readily available for fans (the meet and greets drew very long lines), mingled in with the crowd, listened to other musicians’ sets, and just hung out, adding to Warped’s reputation as a festival designed to truly engage and cater to the fans; the atmosphere created is a very unique one, with the usually hard line between performer and audience happily blurred.
Ariel/Icon For Hire
Ariel, the lead singer of Icon For Hire, leaned over to me from on stage and said, “I hope we can create some great pictures for you.” And yes, Ariel, you did indeed!
Scare Don’t Fear
Scare Don’t Fear was the most enjoyable performance of the day for me. While in “media photographer mode,” I often get lost in taking the pictures. Believe it or not, I don’t remember a lot of the concerts I’ve shot because I am in that “zone.” Scare Don’t Fear’s mix of hip hop, metal and hardcore, though, was so impressive that it made me step back and take time to enjoy the performance.
Overall, it was a terrific day, and the amount of talent that Vans Warped Tour packs into one day is thoroughly impressive. This may have been my first Warped Tour, but I guarantee it won’t be my last. So enjoy the photos below, whether they’re a reminder of a great day at Warped, pics of some of your favorite bands, or the reason you make sure not to miss next year’s tour!
All photos by Drew Pion for FlashWounds
