We arrive early,
planning on having a few drinks before we embark on the wonderful journey
into pop-punk heaven. It would have been the most perfect line-up if
Four Year Strong was still on the bill, but hey, beggars can’t be
choosers. Walking up the stairs to the 18+ section, I spot some old
friends who buy me a few beers. We then find a place sit and discuss
how our day at Soundwave went, and everyone agreed on one thing; it
was fucking hot.  

As time goes
by and beers disappear one by one, it was time for New York hardcore
punk band This Is Hell to start. Not being familiar with them,
I decided to see what the fuss was all about. Standing on the balcony
overlooking the venue, I was pleasantly surprised and won over by front
man Travis Reilly’s energy and passion. Their set
was vicious and the crowd loved every second of it; and I must admit
I’m now a fan.  

Walking back
to the bar, I started to feel sleepy as I didn’t get enough sleep
after Soundwave. I decided to buy three red bulls and sculled those
bad boys as fast as I could. Best idea or worst idea ever? Meeting my
friends outside, we discussed what other sidewaves we were planning
on attending (Jimmy Eat World was one answer). 

Buzzing on
red bull I made my way downstairs for Set Your Goals. Having
seeing them the day before at Soundwave I was more than excited to see
them again. Maybe it was the caffeine, or maybe the atmosphere of friends
and pop-punk (fuck I love pop-punk), either way the energy levels rose as the
six-piece walked on stage.  

Vocalist Mat
Wilson encouraged the crowd to start moving; from the first chords of
Gaia Bleeds, the sound was loud and perfect. Their set featured
crowd pleasers from Goonies Never Say Die!
to Look Closer and favourite Summer Jam;
with Mat Wilson and Jordon Brown’s dual vocals and story telling style
along with Michael Ambrose’s colossal drum beats was magnificent.  

Looking around
the venue, it was beginning to fill up, then something caught my eye;
Jack Barakat of All Time Low was on the top floor. My mind started racing,
holy shit guest vocals from Alex Gaskarth? Yep (however, Hayley Williams
rap attack or nothing). During the last verse of The Fallen
Alex Gaskarth did a classic mic grab and, holy shit, it was epic. They
finished the set off with Muntiny!,
the ideal finishing song.  

The light’s
dimmed as the smoke machine puffed away and A Day To Remember
strutted onto stage. They are the Blink-182 of mosh. Each song off their
new album Homesick could be a single because it’s just that
damn good. As soon as the The Downfall of Us All began, the crowd
went psychotic with everyone singing along and losing themselves within
the music; it was beautiful. 

Instrumentally,
they play in harmony, giving the songs a raw dynamic that creates a calm
yet catastrophic atmosphere I haven’t felt in ages. Their rendition
of Over My Head (The Fray) made me appreciate their ability to
turn a great song into an even greater song. The highlight of the night
was Homesick, a song they rarely play live, and it was blissful to
hear. However, it was Alex Shelnutt’s insane drumming skills during
Mr Highway’s Thinking About the End
that must be praised, as it’s the most brutal and mammoth
breakdown ever fucking created. They wrap up the night with Have
Faith in Me and The Plot To Blow The Panhandle,
making it impossible for anyone to walk away disappointed.