By Rachael Dowd
The Sad Summer Festival kicks off in the states this week and we’ve got you covered on who you can expect to see and how you can give back to charity on each stop of the tour!
Alongside the incredible musical lineup, The Sad Summer Festival will be bringing different non-profits to each date to help spread awareness about all of the good things the organizations are doing! Here are just a few you will be able to get involved with this summer:
Paws in the City – July 5th – Dallas, TX
“Paws in the City is a 501(c)(3) all-volunteer, no-kill organization with the commitment to ending the overpopulation, abuse, and neglect of Dallas/Ft. Worth area dogs and cats. We have no paid staff and 100% of all funds raised goes directly to animals in need. Our goal is that every adoptable dog and cat gets a loving home.”
Women’s Prison Association – July 16th – New York, NY
“WPA is committed to helping women with justice histories realize new possibilities for themselves and their families. We promote alternatives to incarceration and help women avoid arrest or incarceration by making positive changes in their lives. Inside prison and jail, we are a source of support to women and a resource to them as they plan for release. After incarceration, women come to WPA for help to build the lives they want for themselves and their families in the community.”
The Baldwin Center – July 21st – Pontiac, MI
“The Baldwin Center’s mission is to feed, clothe, educate, and empower the Pontiac community. A new focus to our mission is reshaping the way we look at poverty, with a goal of providing more tools to help our Pontiac neighbours attain and maintain a standard of living above the poverty line.”
Girls Behind the Rock Show – August 3rd – Anaheim, CA
“GBTRS was founded on the principle of female empowerment within the music industry. They are dedicated to helping artists and bands drive female empowerment and diversity in productive and positive ways, and promoting these initiatives throughout the culture of the music scene.”
And, of course, there are some incredible acts playing the festival this summer!
State Champs (on all dates)
Following the release of their highly-anticipated album, Living Proof, last year, you can expect pop-punk outfit State Champs to bring the energy, entertainment and new material to their set this summer!
Mayday Parade (on all dates)
Gaining a reputation over the years for their memorable live performances filled with nostalgic hits we all have grown up listening to, Mayday Parade’s set is bound to be something special. With plenty of brand new material from their latest release, Sunnyland, to play, their set will be full of brand new hits and old classics.
The Maine (on all dates)
Hot on the heels of their most successful album to date, You Are OK, Arizona natives The Maine will be bringing the life and party to The Sad Summer Festival with their brand new hits including “Numb Without You” and “My Best Habit.”
The Wonder Years (on all dates)
Pop punk veterans The Wonder Years have emerged over the years to become one of the most talked about live acts in the scene. Between the energy and musicianship they bring onstage, their catalogue of music will be sure to please all of those in attendance this summer.
Mom Jeans (on all dates)
Hailing from California, “loud sad band” Mom Jeans has slowly gained a cult following over the years for their quintessential sad punk rock songs we can all relate to in some way.
Just Friends (on all dates)
Genre-bending act Just Friends will be sure to bring the most unique performance to The Sad Summer Festival this year. Merging together jazz-inspired horns, soulful vocals and rock-driven percussion, Just Friends is an act you definitely don’t want to miss this summer!
Stand Atlantic (on all dates)
Australian-based act Stand Atlantic have been winning crowds around the world this past year since the release of their debut full length, Skinny Dipping. Bringing the classic punk tunes that will be sure to get crowds going all summer long, their captivating live set is part of the reason they have become one of the fastest growing acts in the genre.
Forever The Sickest Kids (Dallas and Houston dates)
Making a rare appearance this summer, you can still plan on Forever The Sickest Kids putting on one of the most explosive performances despite the fact they haven’t been active since 2013. Those lucky enough to catch them in their native state of Texas can expect to hear some old favorites including “She’s A Lady” and “Woah Oh!”
Set It Off (Orlando date)
If you haven’t been able to catch Set It Off during their nonstop worldwide touring over the past year, now is your chance! Playing exclusively at the Orlando date, fans can expect to hear brand new material off of their latest album, Midnight.
Every Avenue (Pontiac date)
Also making a rare appearance this summer exclusively at the Pontiac, Michigan date is Every Avenue! It’s been eight years since the release of their last full-length album, Bad Habits, so fans that have stuck around all these years can expect to hear some of their favorite tunes they may have never expected to hear live again.
Four Year Strong (Worcester date)
Those attending the Worcester date of The Sad Summer Festival can expect a classic pop punk performance from Four Year Strong. Known for their intensely energetic live performances, you can expect them to play plenty of material from their recently released album, Some of You Will Like This, Some of You Won’t.
Emo Nite (Denver date)
You know it’s a party when Emo Nite is in town! Bringing their highly-anticipated set of emo-tastic tracks to the Denver date, fans in attendance can expect to let loose to some of their favorite tracks from the past decade and beyond!
Grayscale (New Jersey date)
Teasing their socials this week with potentially brand new music to be released in the near future, fans attending the New Jersey date can expect to hear brand new tunes live from the Grayscale boys before anyone else!
Jetty Bones (Pittsburgh and Columbus dates)
Ohio-native Jetty Bones will be bringing her well-crafted tunes to the Pittsburgh and Columbus dates this summer. With her charismatically spunky performance that has won so many music fans over already, audience members can anticipate an entertaining performance they won’t forget for a long time.
Oh Weatherly (Dallas and Houston dates)
Hailing from Dallas, pop rock outfit Oh Weatherly are winning crowds over with their relatable tunes that are reminiscent of bands from the scene that have long since disappeared. Playing both the Dallas and Houston dates this summer, if you haven’t jumped on the Oh Weatherly bandwagon yet, now is the time.
ASHLAND (Milwaukee, Chicago and and Minneapolis dates)
Newly-signed Rise Records act ASHLAND are bringing their genre-bending sound to the Milwaukee, Chicago and Minneapolis crowds this summer. With infectious hooks and beats you can’t help but dance to, ASHLAND may just be the brand new act you become obsessed with.
Shortly (Detroit date)
Stripped down and soulful, the musical stylings of Shortly is just what the Detroit crowd needs to help break up the rest of the heavy noise acts on the lineup. Tackling real life emotions and experiences in her music, Shortly is definitely an artist the scene will continue to talk about so now is the time to get familiar with her music.
Word’s Greatest Dad (Atlanta date)
After wrapping up their headlining tour with The Sonder Booms this summer, World’s Greatest Dad will be bringing their unique sound to the Atlanta date! Merging together classic rock elements with their own twist of dark and brutally honest lyrics, their genre-crossing sound will be sure to win over many new fans this summer.
