No offense Warped Tour, but if you're a punk or indie music fan over the age of like, 13 you probably realize what an over-commercialized, teeny-bopping pop fest it's become in the past few years. Sure there are a few respectable artists with visions a little more substantial that making a bunch of money and looking really cool still on the tour, but overall, let's not kid ourselves, Warped Tour is a very different animal than it was ten, even five years ago.
The Antiwarpt Music Festival in Downtown St. Pete is now in its second year operating as the antidote to the underwhelming nauseation induced by the Warped Tour, typically held on the same day across the city in Vinoy Park. If you're looking for variety, substance, music that's maybe a little rough around the edges, then Antiwarpt is probably your kind of festival.
Held in multiple venues within a small, walkable radius Downtown, Antiwarpt features over 60 bands from around the Tampa Bay area and nationwide. One wristband will get you access into shows at Fubar, State Theatre, Local 662, Star Booty, Sake Bomb, and Emerald Bar.
Antiwarpt bands will also be playing at the Globe Coffee Lounge and Cafe Bohemia, but those shows are FREE and don't require the Antiwarpt wristband, but if you do have one, you'll be able to take advantage of a few food and drink specials at both these locations.
The State Theatre will act as the main venue and feature the headlining bands of the festival including NYC trio, The London Souls; soulful, sonic panty-droppers The Bright Light Social Hour; local folk rock favs Have Gun Will Travel; the recently re-united Nervous Turkey; and Thomas Wynn and the Believers.
But really, you're doing yourself a serious disservice if you're just going to catch the big names. Some great acts from all around the Tampa Bay area and beyond will infiltrate the smaller venues to reinforce what you love about local music or, hopefully, open your mind to how eclectic, creative, and downright entertaining the Tampa Bay live music scene can be.
Look out for our list of must-see Antiwarpt bands as the fest gets closer to get the DL on some of these awesome local acts as well as a full festival schedule, events in the area, and much more.
Tickets for Antiwarpt can now be purchased online at the Daddy Kool website here and select Tampa Bay Area retailers (listed below). The first 200 tickets are $12, the rest of the advanced tix are $15, and tickets on the day of the show are $18. Even at the highest price, $18 for over 60 bands is not bad at all.
Antiwarpt ticket retailers:
Daddy Kool Records · 666 Central Avenue Saint Petersburg, FL – (727) 822-5665
Mojo Books & Music · 2558 East Fowler Avenue Tampa, FL 33612 – (813) 971-9717
The Hub · 719 North Franklin Street Tampa, FL 33602 – (813) 229-1553
