Self Help Festival – NOS Events Center, San Bernardino, CA 3/16
By Robert Fayette
UnderOath reborn at Self Help Festival!!
The Self Help Festival made its triumphant return to the NOS Events Center in San Bernadino, CA on March 19, 2016. Following its successful years that have featured A DAY TO REMEMBER, BRING ME THE HORIZON, OF MICE & MEN and Southern California’s THE GHOST INSIDE, the 2016 edition truly lived up to its previous years. A mix of the industry’s best underground and upcoming artists filled out the massive outdoor main stage and its counterpart indoor stage that provided the 17,000 fans in attendance with nearly 10-hours of music.
Amidst the numerous music festivals scheduled through-out the calendar year, Self Help Festival provides people of all ages with the opportunity to see punk rocks most notable and upcoming artists in a single-day event for a very reasonable price. A DAY TO REMEMBER have consistently demonstrated their ability to put on this highly successful festival year-after-year and staying true to the genre that could easily be considered a one-day version of the legendary Vans Warped Tour.
A DAY TO REMEMBER headlined the outdoor red stage that further etched their place amongst the industry’s best live acts. Shortly after 9:30 PM, the stage lights went dark as the beginning lines from the 2009 single; “The Downfall of Us All” echoed through-out the massive crowd as a spectacular pyrotechnics display emerged from the front of the stage. Capitalizing on the momentum built, “My Life for Hire” and “I’m Made of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of?” provided a re-introduction of songs of songs from their 2009 record, Homesick. A short, but spectacular rendition of “My Own Worst Enemy”, made famous by Orange County’s LIT directly into the 2013 Common Courtesy single, “Right Back at It Again” further.
Not leaving any room for downtime, the group’s newest single, “Paranoia” made its live debut as on-stage fire cannons exploded across the stage. Not forgetting their roots, “The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle” closed out the evening that further solidified A DAY TO REMEMBER’s legacy consistently delivering brilliant studio records and exceptional live performances most notably the massive pyrotechnics displays on-stage and backstage.
Nearly four years after disbanding, the rebirth of UnderOATH led to months of anticipation following the announcement of their rebirth. “Breathing in a New Mentality” opened the set to the loudest ovation of the day that further continued into “In Regards to Myself” once the film projector intro echoed. Lead singer Spencer Chamberlin’s stage presence only increased as he fed off the raw energy from his band members and the rabid fans soaking in every moment they had. Midway through the set, it was announced that they would return to Los Angeles a week later on Easter Sunday for a club show that was announced prior to them stepping foot on stage. Much to the surprise of everyone, “To Whom It May Concern” made its way on the set list stunning many who had anticipated a singles friendly collection of material. If it wasn’t blatantly underdstood from the beginning, UnderOATH stole the show.
THE STORY SO FAR and THE WONDER YEARS each took their turn warming up the crowd on solid performances that gave the crowd some time to recover but prepare for the co-main events that followed.
While UnderOATH clearly stole the show with their rebirth, AUGUST BURNS RED delivered the performance of the day that should have been higher up on the bill. Opinions aside, the Pennsylvania-natives who only continue to improve with each studio record, opened their set with “Martyr” and their Grammy Awards nominated single, “Identity.” Midway through the song, lead singer Jake Luhrs broke out his best dance moves while showcasing his ability of microphone swings as his band mates shredded on their respective instruments. “Empire” showcased ABR’s eventual path to greatness while “Composure” appeased the loyal fans since the 2007 studio record, Messengers. Since the first time I saw the band perform at Warped Tour nearly a decade ago on the Smartpunk.com Stage, until this performance, there were only a few examples where I was left with chills from a performance. “Ghosts” provided it from its opening notes that echoed through-out the NOS Events Center that saw a surprise from A DAY TO REMEMBER singer Jeremy McKinnon who originally starred on the studio version.
Continuing to build on their success, ISSUES wasted no time in creating a buzz from their opener, “Love Sex Riot.” The duo of Michael Bohn and Tyler Carter offer their fans the both of clean and heavy vocals that appease the musical hearts of many. “Stingray Affliction”, “Blue Wall” and “Hooligans” each made their way onto the set list.
Representing Slumerica, YELAWOLF and BLINK 182 drummer Travis Barker made a brief appearance on the main stage. The Alabama native may have appeared to be out of place in a lineup of Warped Tour artists, but up to the task, he delivered an exceptional performance of material.
CROWN THE EMPIRE, THY ART IS MURDER and ONE OK ROCK rounded out the main stage in early afternoon performances, with each building upon each other. Those who were brave enough to endure the sauna-like indoor stage were treated to brilliant performances from LETLIVE, TONIGHT ALIVE and FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER. As expected, LETLIVE singer Jason Alon delivered a high energy driven performance sans his signature lumberjack beard.
Official Self Help Festival Site
By Robert Fayette
UnderOath reborn at Self Help Festival!!
The Self Help Festival made its triumphant return to the NOS Events Center in San Bernadino, CA on March 19, 2016. Following its successful years that have featured A DAY TO REMEMBER, BRING ME THE HORIZON, OF MICE & MEN and Southern California’s THE GHOST INSIDE, the 2016 edition truly lived up to its previous years. A mix of the industry’s best underground and upcoming artists filled out the massive outdoor main stage and its counterpart indoor stage that provided the 17,000 fans in attendance with nearly 10-hours of music.
Amidst the numerous music festivals scheduled through-out the calendar year, Self Help Festival provides people of all ages with the opportunity to see punk rocks most notable and upcoming artists in a single-day event for a very reasonable price. A DAY TO REMEMBER have consistently demonstrated their ability to put on this highly successful festival year-after-year and staying true to the genre that could easily be considered a one-day version of the legendary Vans Warped Tour.
A DAY TO REMEMBER headlined the outdoor red stage that further etched their place amongst the industry’s best live acts. Shortly after 9:30 PM, the stage lights went dark as the beginning lines from the 2009 single; “The Downfall of Us All” echoed through-out the massive crowd as a spectacular pyrotechnics display emerged from the front of the stage. Capitalizing on the momentum built, “My Life for Hire” and “I’m Made of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of?” provided a re-introduction of songs of songs from their 2009 record, Homesick. A short, but spectacular rendition of “My Own Worst Enemy”, made famous by Orange County’s LIT directly into the 2013 Common Courtesy single, “Right Back at It Again” further.
Not leaving any room for downtime, the group’s newest single, “Paranoia” made its live debut as on-stage fire cannons exploded across the stage. Not forgetting their roots, “The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle” closed out the evening that further solidified A DAY TO REMEMBER’s legacy consistently delivering brilliant studio records and exceptional live performances most notably the massive pyrotechnics displays on-stage and backstage.
Nearly four years after disbanding, the rebirth of UnderOATH led to months of anticipation following the announcement of their rebirth. “Breathing in a New Mentality” opened the set to the loudest ovation of the day that further continued into “In Regards to Myself” once the film projector intro echoed. Lead singer Spencer Chamberlin’s stage presence only increased as he fed off the raw energy from his band members and the rabid fans soaking in every moment they had. Midway through the set, it was announced that they would return to Los Angeles a week later on Easter Sunday for a club show that was announced prior to them stepping foot on stage. Much to the surprise of everyone, “To Whom It May Concern” made its way on the set list stunning many who had anticipated a singles friendly collection of material. If it wasn’t blatantly underdstood from the beginning, UnderOATH stole the show.
THE STORY SO FAR and THE WONDER YEARS each took their turn warming up the crowd on solid performances that gave the crowd some time to recover but prepare for the co-main events that followed.
While UnderOATH clearly stole the show with their rebirth, AUGUST BURNS RED delivered the performance of the day that should have been higher up on the bill. Opinions aside, the Pennsylvania-natives who only continue to improve with each studio record, opened their set with “Martyr” and their Grammy Awards nominated single, “Identity.” Midway through the song, lead singer Jake Luhrs broke out his best dance moves while showcasing his ability of microphone swings as his band mates shredded on their respective instruments. “Empire” showcased ABR’s eventual path to greatness while “Composure” appeased the loyal fans since the 2007 studio record, Messengers. Since the first time I saw the band perform at Warped Tour nearly a decade ago on the Smartpunk.com Stage, until this performance, there were only a few examples where I was left with chills from a performance. “Ghosts” provided it from its opening notes that echoed through-out the NOS Events Center that saw a surprise from A DAY TO REMEMBER singer Jeremy McKinnon who originally starred on the studio version.
Continuing to build on their success, ISSUES wasted no time in creating a buzz from their opener, “Love Sex Riot.” The duo of Michael Bohn and Tyler Carter offer their fans the both of clean and heavy vocals that appease the musical hearts of many. “Stingray Affliction”, “Blue Wall” and “Hooligans” each made their way onto the set list.
Representing Slumerica, YELAWOLF and BLINK 182 drummer Travis Barker made a brief appearance on the main stage. The Alabama native may have appeared to be out of place in a lineup of Warped Tour artists, but up to the task, he delivered an exceptional performance of material.
CROWN THE EMPIRE, THY ART IS MURDER and ONE OK ROCK rounded out the main stage in early afternoon performances, with each building upon each other. Those who were brave enough to endure the sauna-like indoor stage were treated to brilliant performances from LETLIVE, TONIGHT ALIVE and FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER. As expected, LETLIVE singer Jason Alon delivered a high energy driven performance sans his signature lumberjack beard.
Official Self Help Festival Site
