Warped Tour

Yikes is all I can say about this one. Have you heard of the Warped Tour? I had, but didn't know about it in any great detail. So NAMM, which is the association for the global music products industry, is a sponsor of the event. Progressive is a NAMM member, so we were able to give away some free tickets to the show as well as received some VIP passes to go and check the event out.

OK, so I felt old there yesterday. I'm 26, but this was definately a show that catered to the 13-17 year old crowd. They have around 100 up and coming bands play all throughout the day and several different stage. The show was at Post-Gazette Pavillion and was totally packed!!!!!!!!

So, we arrive and meet up with the NAMM rep who tells us a little about the tour and shows us around. She then tell us we can go on stage to see a band perform. So, we picked a band and went on the stage. Well, I was far from prepared for what we were about to witness.



We were actually on the stage behind the band - see picture. More pics will be posted on the Progressive site soon. Anyway, standing up there was seriously the loudest thing I've ever heard in my life. I don't have any idea what the band was singing, it was all so loud. But, as you can see from the picture, there were tons of poeple watching this band!!! It was actually kinda cool to be on stage to see the performance. Well, I was amazed to see so many mosh pits in the crowd as well as how much body surfing was going on. BLEW MY MIND!!!! Anyway after the 30 minute performance, and after the 30 minutes it took to be able to hear again, we walked around and looked at all the vendors. I was amazed at how many people were there all over the place, how many people were selling everything under the sun there and how many body piercings people actually have!!

We spent a little bit in the air conditioned VIP tent. That was nice - haha

Bottom line - it was an interesing adventure. I can't believe how many people were there and so into this music.

Speaking of NAMM, I am happy to say that I have been asked to serve on a NAMM advisory board. The board will deal with what NAMM can do to better serve independant retailers like Progressive Music. I am very excited about the opportunity for lots of reasons. 1) NAMM does some wonderful things and it's great to be invloved in it. 2) It will be great to step out of my usual environment and talk about the music business. 3) California - here I come!! Yep, the meetings will be in Southern California - one of my favorite places!!!!! One trip will be in October and the next will be in January. Should be fun!!!!