Sad Summer Fest takes over Santa Ana

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Sad Summer Fest Takes Over Santa Ana

Sad Summer Festival made it’s stop in Santa Ana at the Observatory and had everyone feeling nostalgic as they brought back the energy/atmosphere of Warped Tour.

This year’s lineup had an impressive roster of both seasoned legends and emerging stars, each ready to hit the stage with a mix of nostalgia and fresh energy. This lineup included Daisy Grenade, The Summer Set, Knuckle Puck, Real Friends, We The Kings, The Wonder Years, The Maine, and Mayday Parade.

Daisy Grenade

Kicking off the day was none other than Daisy Grenade, a duo known for their high-energy shows and insane stage presence. From the moment they stepped on stage, it was clear that Daisy Grenade was here to make an impact. They wasted no time getting the crowd involved, bringing an energy that was impossible to resist. Despite it being around 100 degrees, with fans in the direct heat, the crowd showed up in full force, ready to match Daisy Grenade’s energy.

Daisy Grenade played a bunch of their hits and mixed in newer work which gave the fans exactly what they wanted. Daisy Grenade lit up the Sad Summer Festival with a set that felt like a rollercoaster and a punk rock celebration all in one. Their performance was a burst of energy, with every song charged with intensity. The band’s sound and insane stage presence had the crowd singing along and losing themselves in the moment. It was clear that Daisy Grenade’s music struck a deep chord with fans, turning their set into one of the festival’s standout highlights.

The Summer Set

The Summer Set brought a burst of energy to the Sad Summer Festival, delivering a performance that was as uplifting as it was electrifying. From the moment they took the stage, the band’s enthusiasm and pop-rock anthems had the crowd on their feet and singing along. Their setlist was a perfect mix of upbeat hits and crowd favorites, each song delivered with a sense of fun and genuine connection with the audience.

Throughout their performance, The Summer Set proved why they’re a festival staple. Their stage presence created an atmosphere of joy and nostalgia. It was clear that both the band and their fans were fully engaged in the set, making it a highlight of the festival and a reminder of the joy of live music.

Knuckle Puck

From the moment Knuckle Puck took the stage, it was clear that this was going to be a show to remember. The band kicked off their set and had the crowd immediately jumping and singing along. The sheer enthusiasm from both the band and the fans created a great set, which really set the tone for what was to come.

The setlist was a well-curated mix of fan favorites and new work, showing Knuckle Puck’s progress while staying true to their roots. Songs like “Pretense” and “Double Helix” were met with great responses, as the crowd soaked in the raw emotion and authenticity that Knuckle Puck brings to their music.

Real Friends

Real Friends delivered a standout performance at the Sad Summer Festival in Santa Ana. Their set was packed with fan favorites, showcasing what makes them emo and pop-punk. The band’s engaging stage presence and heartfelt lyrics resonated with the crowd, creating an atmosphere that had everyone singing along and fully present in the moment.

The festival’s environment provided a perfect backdrop for Real Friends, with their food trucks, booths, and more. The response from the audience highlighted the band’s strong connection with their fans, making their set one of the festival’s highlights. Overall, Real Friends’ performance was a memorable set.

We The Kings

We The Kings has always been a personal favorite of mine so finally getting to see them live was something special and every expectation that I had went out the window as they truly exceeded all the expectations I had. They really know how to engage with the fans and even engaged with us photographers, in the pit. They sang all of the fan favorites while also incorporating other material in as well.

Overall, We The Kings was one of my favorite sets of the festival and left me with a newfound respect for how much dedication and love they pour into their performances.

The Wonder Years

The Wonder Years put on a great performance and had me leaving a new fan, I personally hadn’t listened to their music before but frontman Dan Campbell’s vocals were unreal. The entire band poured their all into the performance despite the blazing heat and made sure the fans had a time they will never forget.

Overall, I was really impressed with their stage presence and how much they connect with their fans. They are a group that you can tell really loves what they do and want to make sure they leave a lasting impression, which they absolutely did!

The Maine

As The Maine took the stage, they immediately exploded into a vulnerable, true authentic blast that undoubtedly awakened the entire surrounding neighborhood of Santa Ana. Frontman John O’Callaghan owned the stage and beyond, as he hopped off stage and got onto a riser so he could lean into the crowd multiple times. Accompanied with insane guitar riffs, intricate drumming, vocal charm, and a most-pit perfect sound, the blend truly gave an authentic perspective.

Mayday Parade

Mayday Parade delivered a stellar headline performance at the Sad Summer Festival in Santa Ana, California. The band’s set was a highlight of the festival, filled with energetic performances of their well-loved tracks. Lead singer Derek Sanders led the charge with his powerful vocals, and the band’s emotive pop-punk anthems had the crowd singing along and fully immersed. Their performance was a perfect blend of nostalgia and new material, showcasing why they continue to be a fan favorite.

The lively festival atmosphere only added to the excitement, making Mayday Parade’s set even more memorable. The band’s strong connection with the audience was evident throughout the show, with fans reacting enthusiastically to every song. Overall, Mayday Parade’s headline set was a fitting end to the festival, showcasing their talent and leaving the crowd happy and on a high note.

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