ATP! Lists: 10 Must-See 2013 Summer Tours
Words by Jordan Wyman
Want to go to a show where you can brush all the dirt off your shoulder and then sing about dicks in boxes? Then you better have your tickets to Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake in their co-headlining Legends of the Summer Tour. If Jay-Z gets any more famous he'd probably have his own brand of cereal and dishware to go with it. Even with a new baby in the house, Mr. Carter is obviously more than ready to hit the road with not only an esteemed colleague, but with a brand new album. Since the success of Watch The Throne with little ol’ Kanye West, it feels like it’s time for Jay-Z to go back to some blueprint material and give the people more business, man.
As for the main event it is none other than Mr. Ramen Hair Superstar himself, Justin Timberlake. With not only one, but two brand new albums (one being on the way of course) for the people. Timberlake has really proved that he can do it all. Sing, act, dance, he’s essentially the male version of Cher (but with more modest hair and makeup). Being in the presence of music royalty even just for a night is worth every penny. His set will have his Justified and LoveSound classics, but let’s not forget that his dick in a box brought you on down to Veganville with his pipes as smooth as a baby’s bottom, it’s just science.
Aside from the success of these two powerhouses, the energy and presence these two will bring on the stage will literally be blowing the roves off arenas everywhere. If you like one, the other accompanying them will not only be a major bonus but will be an experience that will stay with you far past summer.
Tour dates and ticket information can be found here.
Most Nights Summer Tour (feat. fun. and Tegan & Sara)
Words by Jordan Wyman
Quite possibly the most interesting tour this year, recent superstars fun. will be touring along side the lovely twins of Tegan & Sara. Even though the Quin sisters have seven albums under their belts, it made people do a double-take to see them opening for a group like fun.
Fun. has been known to be, well y'know, fun! Their Queen-like harmonies and summer anthem sounds are what make their shows turn in to nights people remember for years to come. Whether it’s dudes getting drunk and bromantic, Tumblr girls in their boots, or a middle-aged couple out for the night, fun. has managed to create a diverse and expansive fanbase that doesn’t really make it easy to make out what a “fun. fan” should be. Even though most of their set will be from Some Nights (regard the tour name) a fun. show will always leave your face smiling and your throat hoarse.
Now add in the life-long following of Tegan & Sara fans and you got yourself the most diverse crowd of people anyone could ask for. Touring off their latest release Heartthrob, the Quin sisters have continued their saga of heartbreak to give music to the broken-hearted. If you follow the twins on any network you will notice that their sets are mainly centered around Heartthrob. This means that unlike their previous albums with inde touches, their new set is synth-piano-kick drum extravaganza. A Tegan & Sara show is filled with “fuck you” kind of songs and banter that will literally have you rolling on the floor laughing.
This is not the tour to miss, even if you only know one fun. song and sorta like Tegan & Sara. One night with all of them will most likely make your summer even more spectacular than it already will be.
Tour dates and ticket information can be found here.
Tour dates and ticket information can be found here.
Words by Gina Catalano
In case you ever doubted the musical life span of the Backstreet Boys, I begin with a quote: “As long as there'll be music, we'll be comin' back again.” It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago these five Orlando, Florida natives started making music. Now that Kevin Richardson had rejoined his former band mates, what better way to celebrate than with an anniversary tour? In addition to their old hits, they’ll be performing a variety of songs off their new album set to release in July. Opening acts include former boy band member-turned-heartthrob Jesse McCartney and Jersey Shore star DJ Pauly D.
For those who grew up loving BSB and Jesse, it’s a tour lineup dream come true.
Tour dates and ticket information can be found here.
Taylor Swift: The Red Tour (with Ed Sheeran)
Words by Emma Garland
Has there ever been a more heavenly-made musical match than T-Swift and Ed Sheeran? The two touring together is so perfect it’s worthy of its own rom-com adaptation.
For the past few months they’ve been making their way around the states with Sheeran, Britain’s most adorable sap, wooing the pants off everybody with lyrics like “I should run you a hot bath, fill it up with bubbles” before Swift rocks up to give a monumental display of the entire emotional spectrum.
The thing that both Sheeran and Swift have going for them is, although they sing about heartbreak and loneliness and the shortcomings of romantic endeavors, they do it in an uplifting way that says “c’mon guys, we got this.” So if you’re bumming hard, put down that liter of ice-cream you’re eating out of the tub with a spoon and go sing your face off with thousands of other people to some of the best pop songs written this century. Don’t feel like you can’t go if you’re feeling pretty good about life, though. They have songs for that too. Either way, there’s literally no human being in the world who doesn’t hear the “weeEEEE” in ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ and feel like they’ve just done a shot of pure joy, and that, you guys, is why Taylor Swift matters.
Tour dates and ticket information can be found here.
Words by Victoria Patneaude
Having seen Arizona’s own pop/rock turned alternative quintet many times, we feel quite sage in saying that the 8123 Tour is one summer tour that shouldn’t be missed. As one of the rare bands who are just as good live as recorded - maybe even a little bit better - The Maine is known for leaving their hearts on the stage every night. Fans of the band can attest to this, loyally returning for more time and time again.
Given how much we loved the The Maine’s latest release Forever Halloween so much (a perfect 5/5 for those who missed it!) we’re practically foaming at the mouth imagining the tracks in their full live performance glory, and you should be too. But wait! That isn’t all! Supporting acts Brighten, This Century and A Rocket to the Moon are nothing to sniff at either. Hell, the fact that this is the last tour for A Rocket to the Moon should be reason enough to go. Still not sold on just how good this tour is going to be? Catch it and we can guarantee that you’ll quickly see the error in your ways.
Tour dates and ticket information can be found here.
Jonas Brothers Live 2013 Tour
Words by Gina Catalano
It’s been four years since the Jonas Brothers put out their last record, and four years has been long enough for their longtime supporters. Although Kevin, Joe and Nick have been busy pursuing reality shows, solo careers and Broadway, they’ve been working on new music and have played a few shows around the world since late 2012. Since parting ways with Hollywood Records, they’ve released two singles, “Pom Poms” and “First Time,” both receiving moderate reviews. The Jonas Brothers fifth studio album is set to be released later this year. Until then, their first U.S. tour since 2010 starts on July 10th in Chicago with supporting act Karmin.
Words by Jordan Wyman
Since their End of the World run last year, We The Kings have taken sometime off to plan a fairly stacked tour. Along with their friends Breath Carolina, T. Mills and The Ready Set, this will be the summer to see your favorite bands. It’s been a while since we’ve heard Jordan Witzigreuter on the airwaves, but he’s still got that spark in him we all know him for. Whether you love him like woe still or just want a good show, The Ready Set will get the ball rolling fast at each date.
If you’re a more booty-bouncin’ or twerk-the-night-away kind of dancer, you’ll definitely want to check out T. Mills before the Fest. It seems a little weird that We The Kings has a rapper on tour with them, but this isn’t really a “tour of similar bands” kind of tour. T. Mills’ confrontational delivery and twerkable beats will easily set him apart from the bands on this tour.
And the party doesn’t stop there, make way for the boys of Breathe Carolina to take the stage. With the release of Savages, the duo will have even more party anthems in their set than usual. Hopefully you’ll save your drinking for later because this is a set you do not want to blackout for. Their LED screens and light shows will get you to sweat it out on the floor and leave you wondering what the hell happened after the lights turn on.
Your main event for Summer Fest is none other than We The Kings. Since their last release of Sunshine State of Mind it feels time for We The Kings to get a new album out there. With upbeat lyrics and tempos and the obscene amount of hair on stage, We The Kings always know how to put on a show for their audience.
With twerking, light shows, and all around fun vibes from all of the bands, the Summer Fest 2013 tour is not one you should miss this summer.
Tour dates and ticket information can be found here.
Warped Tour
Words by Victoria Patneaude
Words by Victoria Patneaude
American summers are basically synonymous with the following things: sunshine, good memories and Warped Tour. So it shouldn’t shock anyone that we’ve included the traveling music festival to the list of summer tours to catch. Boasting just shy of 150 bands playing eight stages in 40 cities, Warped Tour is arguably one of the biggest events of the season. This year they’ve upped the ante, adding yet another stage (The Spotify Stage) and offering quite a diverse lineup. Granted, with so much going on, we end up having to sacrifice one band for another, which just makes us wish we had more than just a day per stop to explore and soak it all in. Alas, we’ll take the one day full of great music, crazy tan lines and copious amounts of sweat if it means we can personalize our own perfect tour lineup. After all, the best part about the self-proclaimed rock summer camp is that fans can choose who they do and don’t see, no matter how much they mix it up. That not enough for you? How about we talk about the heightened chance to run into your favorite musician as you both go get a sno cone. (And yes, your favorite musicians do enjoy syrupy shaved ice just as much as the rest of us.) That still not good enough for you? Well then you’re probably just lying to yourself. Yes, we probably will be sporting those horrid sunglass, tank top and sock tan lines for a while, but you best believe that Warped Tour is the best possible way to get them.
Words by James Tremain
Have you recently ended a relationship? Are you learning after lost love? Have just found it? Why not go and sing about it with like-minded romantics at a Jimmy Eat World gig.
Jimmy Eat World has been providing the soundtrack to the peaks and troughs of everyone's love lives for almost 20 years. They know how you feel, whether you're riding high or sinking right now. They've got you covered. New album Damage is an enjoyable summer singalong regardless of your relationship status, and such a hit laden back catalogue is sure to raise a smile on even the gloomiest face.
Whether you're reminiscing along with 'The Middle' and 'Sweetness' or rocking along to more recent cuts like 'Coffee and Cigarettes' and 'I Will Steal You Back,' Jimmy Eat World have a soft-centred song for every occasion. Go, remember why you're a Jimmy Eat World fan in the first place, and fall in love all over again.
Tour dates and ticket information can be found here.
The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die Tour
Words by Emma Garland
In terms of (relatively) new bands, this is easily one of the best tours of the summer. Having released a new LP last month as well as a split with Tigers Jaw, Self Defense Family and Code Orange Kids earlier in the year, Connecticut’s own “twinke daddies” (which is how we’re now referring to the mix of emo, math and post-rock, by the way) are currently knocking things out of the ballpark left right and centre. They’re delicate, they’re energetic, and even the lyrics “do you think the landlord’s pissed?” are sung with such conviction that grown men will weep.
With regular support from Dads and Pity Sex as well as the odd appearance from the likes of Adventures, Cloakroom, Daylight and Hightide Hotel, this line-up is the ultimate coalition of great. Get yourself to a show, do a cry-mosh and let them be one of the reasons that convinces you the world can be a beautiful place.
Tour dates and ticket information can be found here.
Tour dates and ticket information can be found here.
