As most of you probably know, the Vans Warped Tour wrapped up two weeks ago, and Rain City Ambience had the privilege of covering both the Seattle and Portland dates (Katie, Chris, & myself at the Gorge, Brianna in Portland). Covering events like this is kind of my bread and butter, so I'm claiming blogging rights, but Katie and Brianna both will have images featured in this post as well.

While there were many well known and well loved bands on the tour this year, there were also a handful of up-and-comers who are worthy of your attention. Bad Rabbits were definitely a crowd favorite, with a kickass high energy performance that made me forget that I was bathing in my own sweat in middle-of-nowhere, Washington. Also on the Skullcandy stage were Grieves with Budo (NW hip hop; check out Brianna's interview with them here) and Big Chocolate (misleading name for a white dude who makes dubstep), and the energy resonated at a high level throughout the crowd for all three of these acts' sets. To the people who say they hate every band on Warped Tour: At least one of these three groups/artists will make you change your mind.

I wish I could share all 700 photos with you guys, but unfortunately I have a day job and have been working on this post for about thirteen days too long. Also, sorry in advance for the limited number of photos of mainstage bands; I only stayed for one song for pretty much every artist due to fear of being crushed by the crowd surfers who always land in the photo pit. So without further ado, I present to you...

Vans Warped Tour 2011

We start with excellent dental hygiene practices, as demonstrated by Jessie and Jeremy, AKA my Warped Tour partners in crime.



The Wonder Years









(Taken by Brianna)



Photographer spotting #1: Randi and Her Camera. I managed to capture her in her natural habitat



August Burns Red





(Taken by Brianna)



Dance Gavin Dance





Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows (AKA D.R.U.G.S. AKA band with the worst name ever)



(Taken by Brianna)



The Devil Wears Prada





Bad Rabbits (and accompanying backstage shenanigans e.g. taking pictures of Jordan Voth making the same face over and over again)



Big Chocolate dancing to Bad Rabbits



(Taken by Brianna)



Photographer spotting #2: Jordan Voth looking famous nstuff



J. Voth, Noah Sahady, and Big Chocolate



Grieves with Budo











Set Your Goals









Jessie!



Photographer spotting #3: Adam Elmakias hanging out in a trailer



The illustrious Steven Lindquist



There For Tomorrow



















The Narrative (taken by Katie)



Gatsbys American Dream (taken by Katie)







Every Avenue (Taken by Brianna)



Black Veil Brides (Taken by Brianna)







Of Mice & Men (Taken by Brianna)







We Came As Romans (Taken by Brianna)







Spinning blades of death on the drive home




Did you go to Warped Tour this year? If so, who were your favorite bands? Any big surprises or upsets? Share your thoughts in the comments!