SAD SUMMER FEST CELEBRATING ITS 5TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

When the iconic Vans Warped Tour closed its doors for the very last time, the pop-punk community felt like it was missing a puzzle piece. For years, Warped Tour had been a cornerstone, giving recognition to bands of all sizes across the nation for 25 years. Its impact was monumental and if you ask anyone with tattoos and colored hair, they’ll probably remember the tour like the back of their hand. However, like all things do, Warped Tour bid farewell at the end of summer 2019. Despite this, the pop-punk community remained resilient and hungry for something that could fill the void of the missing festival. 

Enter: Sad Summer Fest.

This year, Sad Summer Fest will be celebrating its 5th year with a projected attendance of at least 70,000 across the board. Since its beginning, the festival team has worked tirelessly to carve their name into the pop-punk scene and with 17 packed shows nationwide; they certainly have their foot in the door. Sad Summer Fest continues to pay homage to their Warped Tour roots but sprinkle their own touches, like fewer shows to give the artists time to recoup, a smaller, curated lineup to prevent overlapping, and a single stage allowing fans to see every band they desire. 

Another feature of Sad Summer Fest is their commitment to giving back to the local community, festival and venue staff, and attendees. Current non-profit partners are: 

HeadCount: An organization that does everything they can to get people registered to vote and interested in democracy. You can often find a HeadCount volunteer booth at concert venues, festival grounds, and even community events. 

The Ally Coalition: Dedicated to providing critical support for organizations dedicated to bettering the lives of LGBTQ+ youth, The Ally Coalition partners with artists and musicians in the industry to raise awareness about the systemic inequalities facing the queer population. 

Punk Rock Saves Lives: An initiative that acts as a catalyst at music events, focusing on health and wellness, human rights, and equality within the community. They aim to promote awareness and action by amplifying messages of hope and encouraging mutual aid. 

Along with these amazing partnerships, Sad Summer Fest is filled with a super passionate team who have been doing everything they can to make the festival succeed for the last five years. Co-founders Mike Marquis, Josh Terry, and Tim Kirch made the hard decision to not stop in Texas this year–not because of a dislike for the state, but for the safety of fans. “...the extreme weather there led to fans passing out due to heat exhaustion,” Marquis tells journalist Ariel King. 

And, of course, the touring artists don’t disappoint. Nostalgia names like The Maine, Mayday Parade, We The Kings, and The Wonder Years are taking the stage, along with newer additions like Real Friends, Knuckle Puck, and Daisy Grenade. Even The Summer Set and Hot Milk will be jumping on stage a few times across the country. 

I’m incredibly excited for Sad Summer Fest to kick off! The festival shines bright, not just for its killer lineup, but for its commitment to fan safety, experience, and charitable work. As the festival continues to evolve, I have no doubts that the team and artists involved will continue to make it a positive and inclusive event.

Check out the Sad Summer Fest tour below and visit their website for more information and how to purchase tickets!