In the wake of Warped Tour’s permanent cancellation in 2019, pop-punk fans need a substitute tour to follow. The best filler for that legendary traveling festival is definitely Sad Summer Fest, which for a few years now has been the best one-day pop-punk festival the U.S. has to offer. This year’s Sad Summer Fest runs from July 8th to August 5th, and every band is at the forefront of pop-punk today. Here’s the entire list of groups from the major dates.
Texan pop-punks Waterparks’ latest album Greatest Hits was a hook-filled statement of driving, bombastic pop, keeping them at the top of the pile for next-gen punk bands.
Neck Deep was at the helm of the 2010s’ pop-punk revival scene, so it’s only fitting that they are placed near the top of Sad Summer Fest’s list as well.
The most old-school recognizable name on the list is Mayday Parade, whose 2007 debut, A Lesson in Romantics, lives on in the minds of pop-punk classicists thanks to its leading track, “Jamie All Over.”
Yet another classic-sounding pop-punk group blends the intricate guitar lines and vocal harmonies of their obvious influence, All Time Low.
This newer group stays true to emo roots akin to Taking Back Sunday. Hot Mulligan has just started making a name for themselves following two moderately successful studio albums.
This pop-heavy group is a new staple of Fueled by Ramen Records, the iconic pop-punk label that formerly released music from Fall Out Boy, Jimmy Eat World, and Yellowcard.
The Summer Set haven’t released new music for a few years until just recently, but they initially blew up in 2013 with singles on their Fearless Records debut Legendary.
The newest and brightest star taking up the pop-punk helm with Billie Eilish-influenced emo and the occasional stab of rock guitars.
Check out all of these bands on streaming services; tickets for 2022’s Sad Summer Fest are available now!