Event Review: APMAs

Event: Alternative Press Music Awards
Location: Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH
By Emily Racanelli

APMAs: “The Only Time Something Exciting Happens In Cleveland”

The sun begins to set over Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena as an extremely diverse crowd pours through the gates. For those of you who think an award show hosted by a magazine entirely about pop punk would attract a crowd of tatted and pierced teens, think again! Obviously, a majority of the audience resembled the type of crowd you’d see at Warped Tour: kids adorning skinny jeans and band tees with oddly parted hair and wrists filled with bracelets. On the polar opposite side, however, there were the 20-somethings, set out to relive the phase they grew out of, decorated in bright colors that would shatter young emo hearts.

Once the “Hot Topic Oscars” (as proclaimed by co-host and All Time Low frontman Alex Gaskarth) were underway, it was ears that would be shattered! The Cleveland Youth Contemporary Orchestra built the anticipation by opening with a classically transposed medley of the song of the year nominations. Albeit soothing, it only riled up the crowd for the massive event that would soon take place. (That’s right, there was a soothing rendition of a Beartooth song...talk about getting creative!) Gaskarth and his fellow Baltimore boys had the first live performance of the evening, playing segments of classic rock anthems--such as those by Joan Jett and Nirvana-before ending the set with their own single “Something’s Gotta Give.”

Fortunately, nothing was actually about to give. In fact, things were only growing more intense--not just in the sense of the bands, but from the orchestra as well! The extremely talented ensemble accompanied several live bands, adding a unique element. Never did I think Black Veil Brides and a chello would be on the same stage unless it were to smash the instrument just for kicks. If you think screamo/rock don’t pair well with stringed instruments you need to sit down just to play, I suggest you check out some clips from the show! It’s a pleasant surprise!

What was not surprising was the crowd’s reaction to the triumphant return of Canadian pop-punk veterans Sum 41. Instantaneously, the entire general admission floor was flooded and filled to the brim with adults eager to finally see a band that appeared to have fallen off the face of the earth for a while. The group, fronted by Deryck Whibley (who is looking much healthier these days), rallied up the loudest support system of every performer. I wouldn’t have expected anything less, considering they sampled classic hits such as 2001’s “In Too Deep” and “Fat Lip.” I watched the mosh pit unfold as crowd surfers rode their way to the stage above a sea of bodies. From up above in the comfort of my cushioned seat, my attention was focused on the bearded 30-something men regressing into their teenager years and enjoying the music they fell in love with as angsty 16 year olds. Normally, I’d have a few choice words for large dudes who throw each other around in circles and knock over small children just barely tall enough to catch a glimpse of the stage. However, in such a rare case with Sum 41, I’ll let it slide. So go ahead, middle aged dude with the tribal tattoo and Nirvana t-shirt, backtrack to your youth and mosh like nobody’s watching!

With the excess of aggressive sweat circles and power chord-induced head banging, one might forget the entire purpose of the night: the awards! There were ups and downs of course, the former coming when PVRIS won in the Breakthrough Band category. Having followed this Boston trio for a while and seeing them grow in talent and popularity, I felt like a proud parents sending their kid off to college. Finally, after all this hard work, tribulations, and tons of money spent, there is that moment when everything is worth it. Not only is PVRIS more than deserving of the award--their debut White Noise is a refreshing dose of electro pop that stands alone in an instrument-dominated genre-but it is just a further affirmation that they have a lengthy career in the years to come.

On the downside, there was album of the year. (Of course, I speak for myself and in terms of some reactions I have seen on social media) The fan-voted award may have gone to the self-titled album released by Black Veil Brides this past October, but other counterparts were just as deserving. Fellow standout records from 2014 included Disgusting by Ohio natives Beartooth and Maybe This Place Is The Same And We’re Just Changing by Illinois sad boys Real Friends. Disgusting, which features all vocals and instruments recorded by frontman Caleb Shomo, channels inner rage and aggression towards mental illness and addiction. The screams are balanced by melodic choruses, providing solace to anyone who is struggling and wondering “what is the message, what are the chances that I’ll be living tomorrow?” Real Friends, on the other hand, offer catharsis and comfort from heartbreak. Hits like “Loose Ends” and “Cover You Up” are the types of songs that you sing/cry to yourself while driving alone at night after a rough breakup; it’s a beautiful disaster.

Speaking of disaster, it’s important to talk about some of the presenters. Christopher Drew of Never Shout Never stumbled onto the stage severely intoxicated and ended up laying on the floor by the time his brief appearance ended. Keep in mind, I say disaster in the most positive way possible. Little unexpected moments of this caliber speak to exactly what pop punk is about: being yourself and not having to worry about be chastised for it. I say this lightly, given it was irresponsible to go on stage in that state, but all in all it just led to some laughter and entertainment.

Laughing and joking around was something that Metro Station’s Trace Cyrus obviously couldn’t comprehend. Before reading from the teleprompter to present, Cyrus snuck in a few angry words towards a joke that hosts Alex Gaskarth and Jack Barakat made about the band earlier in the evening. The crowd cringed as “boos” crescendoed.

Despite a few slip ups that couldn’t be censored to a live audience, it is safe to say that the second annual APMAs was a success. For the past 30 years, Alternative Press Magazine has been shedding light on the bands that lived inside the headphones of kids with words they couldn’t get off their tongue. Three decades later, these types of bands are gracing local radio stations (PVRIS) and selling out arenas around the world (All Time Low). The APMAs celebrates everything that makes this genre special and exemplifies how it goes beyond just instruments and singing. Seeing a 20,000 seat arena packed with pop punk fans lets me breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that Alternative Press will have no problem carrying on another 30 years with a whole new generation of heartbroken kids with guitars eager to turn their thoughts into songs.