Playlist Rewind: Rise Against with Rancid and Billy Talent at Festival Pier

Before we address Rancid's set, we have to pause for a moment and acknowledge the single coolest moment of the whole night: jumping and singing along to "Time Bomb" right next to Philadelphia rock radio legend, Pierre Robert. Pierre Robert, you made our night. Thanks.

Tattooed and worn, the guys in Rancid look just like you'd think old punks who have been touring for 18 years would. They also put on just the show you'd think: one full of your favorite old tunes, a sprinkle of the new stuff, and a rockabilly break with acoustic guitars and a stand up bass. Okay, maybe you wouldn't necessarily expect the acoustic rockabilly (15-year-olds more concerned with Rise Against: we saw that vacant look in your eyes), but those of us who've been around a while longer (including Pierre Robert who took out his ear plugs for this one) completely loved it. By the way kids, a little tip: When a mosh pip breaks out around you, don't stand around looking confused as to what to do with your cigarette. Drop that shit and prepare for impact. You shouldn't be smoking anyway.

By the time Rise Against made it to the stage the sun had fully set on Festival Pier and the crowd was anxious for the headliners to go on. Their video set-up took a while and beer-soaked audience was all riled up from Billy Talent and Rancid. During the earlier set switch they had taken to throwing bottles back and forth. Fortunately, venues learned long ago to provide plastic only. Finally the set began and crowd swelled and we bailed from front and center, retreating to left of the stage instead. Bizarre to think we could hang all during Rancid but the pit was too crazy to stay in for Rise Against. By the time we made it off to the side, "Paper Wings" started. Dancing and skanking, we almost forgot our teenage years are a thing of the past. At the same time couldn't have been happier to be out of mosh range for such a hard and fast (and brilliant) track.

Cause-concious as Rise Against is, they took time out to remind the audience that in the month of May moresoldiers died from suicide than died in the war. They sent "Hero of War" and "Kotov Syndrome" out to America's service men and women and Iraq Veterans Against the War. One of the guys standing right near us must have been a member because his buddies were pointing and patting him on the back as the dedication rang out.

As the show drew to a close, rain broke out overhead and the band appropriately ripped through "Dancing for Rain" and then ended with "Give it All." We knew Rise Against had moved up in the world since getting bumped from side to main stage at 2004's Warped Tour, but we hadn't realized just how much. It reminded us a little of when we saw Kings of Leon last winter at one of two Electric Factory shows. It was obvious they were on the verge of something bigger and when they returned spring of this year to play the much larger Spectrum, we weren't at all surprised. From what we witnessed at Festival Pier, it's clear that Rise Against is on the same path of popularity. And while we'll always remember when they were a little band, we can't help but think: good for them.

All photos by author