Warped Tour 2012: Canada – New Jersey

Canada was a crazy two days, I have vague sleepy memories of crossing the border. The first day in Montreal is a dust pit. We play a smaller new stage and the sound is terrible, that and the fact we followed a hardcore band with possessed fans who were literally beating people up didn’t help. I got pissed straight after the show and carry on until the early hours. We take a train into the city and drink in a bar. Good relief from Warped. The next day is much better for us. We’re back on Soul (main stage) and have a great gig despite my hangover. Paul (our Manager) is there to see it then we all jump in a cab and go to Toronto.

Lorna and Matt Toka on a ride back to the bus!

We’re in a cool part of town, shower and have a very nice day as the rain absolutely pours down. Sadly when we return we find Warped Tour has not had such a good day. A girl has died, a guy had a seizure and the rain meant that all the shows had to be postponed and kids were held in the amphitheatre. Apparently there was a call for us to play – argh! Our one day off and we have such an opportunity. We would have rocked that place!

Rain falls on Warped Tour

Well I like to think we would have! We cross the border again and wake up to a well deserved day off. After the 11 day stint with no break we are all feeling the intensity. We’re so tired we can barely think. I stare into the hotel pool for about 3 hours after a 4hr laundry job and after eventually summoning up the energy to swim I feel much better. BBQ in the car park before bed.

Mule prepares to eat some serious BBQ

Kia Rio stage in Buffalo is fun and people dance at all of our gigs. We go to watch Yellowcard and it’s amazing to see how they rock it! There were at least 15 people crowd surfing at any one time…not for me yet as I’m scared of breaking an ankle…instead we head to the roller coaster park which is free for us. Grrrrreat fun! The wooden rickety one is my favourite and as we head to the top of the Ride of Steel, lightening strikes all around us and fireworks go off. Brill.

Lorna and Mule on the gravity cage

Wake up in a beautiful setting tired. It’s hot and humid. We play the seemingly never ending line. I have hit a new level of exhaustion but Zeus my old bus driver friend walks by and offers me 5 hours of energy in a tiny brightly coloured bottle. The next hour is full of jitters and anxiety but the show must go on! We play our first gig of the day, sell CDs and have lots of fun. As we finish up meeting people the rain starts and oh my God how it starts! We hear over a friend’s production radio channel that there are extreme weather warnings! As the rain dips slightly I run back to the shop to protect our merch but as I run the heavens open, thunder and lightening starts and there is a sudden massive drop in temperature. Max hears that a tornado is close so we all just peg it back to the bus…I honestly feel like I’m running for my life! Not long later though our show is rescheduled and we go on. I decide to gather a skinny sisters together since Eloise is in town.

American Sisters prepare to do battle

They look great in my dresses and we have a good fun gig in rather damp conditions. I am SO relieved when that day is over! Yesterday I had much more energy and the day goes by well other than the fact our tent is pitched right next to a guy called T Mills who all the young girls like. They form a line right in front of our stall and remain there for about 4 hours! Eventually we decide to pack up. Today we’re in Camden, New Jersey. It’s much cooler, there’s a bit of a light rain but playing the line was very responsive despite the fact I really had to drag myself there. In fact I should probably get going to the merch stall to sell some stuff.

Playing the line