The Alternative Press Music Awards took place on July 17 at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio. Almost all of our favorite rock stars were there in celebration of each other’s music. I was lucky enough to attend the award show and it was absolutely amazing.
We got to see artist awarded for being Best Vocalist such as Lynn Gunn, Best New Artist Music Video being With Confidence for “Voldemort,” Falling In Reverse bringing home Best Live Band, Silent Planet winning Best Underground Band, State Champs for Best Music Video, Waterparks being Best Breakthrough Band and Song Of The Year going to the show’s host Andy Black.
The show was also full of heart warming speeches from Cassie Wilson who won the Philanthropic Award, presented by Dan “Soupy” Campbell. Cassie Wilson won the 10,000 Sub City Grant which will go to Half Access, which helps people who are disabled have more accessibility at concerts.
John Feldmann won for the Influencer award, and thanked his wife for putting up with “endless bullshit,” which of course had the audience laughing.
We had Laura Jane Grace awarded with the Icon Award. She is one of the biggest influences in the scene, and if anyone deserved the award it would be her. Her speech was so touching and heartfelt.
The night was full of live performances as well. All Time Low played one of their newer songs “Good Times.” Grayscale hit the stage with their cover of Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself” and then State Champs’ Derek DiScanio joined them on stage to sing SC’s cover of “Stitches” by Shawn Mendes.
We saw Against Me perform a couple of their songs, along with Pierce The Veil performing a Chris Cornell tribute by covering “Black Hole In The Sun.” We also got to see the most insane drum performance that featured Frank Zummo of Sum 41, Josh Dun of Twenty One Pilots and Adrian Young of No Doubt.
Other winners included Best Guitarist being Jordan Buckley of Every Time I Die, Best Drummer going to Frank Zummo of Sum 41, Best Bassist went to “Fieldy” Arvizu of Koran, Best Hard Rock Artist being The Pretty Reckless, Most Dedicated Fans being Twenty One Pilots, Artist Of The Year being Panic! At The Disco and Album Of The Year going to Pierce The Veil for Misadventures.
We were also treated here in Cleveland with an Emo Nite La After Party located at Mahall’s in Lakewood. Stars from Frank Zummo and Adrian Young to Fil Thorpe-Evans of Neck Deep showed up to party. And it definitely was a party.
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