Why Everyone Needs to Go to Warped Tour

Welp. That’s another end to another great Summer. Warped Tour ’17 just ended with their last stop in Pomona, CA, that started in June. For those who do not know, Warped Tour is a 22-year old music festival sponsored by Vans and presented by Journeys. Every Summer since 1995, the Warped Tour booking team selects bands that send in submissions along with some Warped Tour veterans who have been playing for ten years straight. This could be a local band’s big break or an already well-known band’s chance to see their biggest crowd yet.

Every band on Warped and their team all tour together, stopping at different venues around the country with the festival lasting all day at each venue. Luckily for me, one stop in the tour is right in my hometown. I have been going to Warped for the past four years and I’m a bit biased but it has been one of the best experiences of my life. Kind of like Christmas (that one day of the year where you know you’re in for a good treat). I know many people have probably written or talked about why you should go to Warped but this is my personal list of why I can’t get enough of this show. I’ll briefly give a few reasons why you need to go to this epic event.

1. LIVE MUSIC. Need I say more? In December, Warped tour team starts releasing the lineup, starting with just a few per week until all artists are announced. Fans know ahead of time who is performing. Although the schedule is not shown until the day of the show, you can get pretty prepared for this day. Don’t you hate post concert depression and how just one moment you were picking out your outfit for the concert and then next your storing your ticket away into your box of past concert tickets? This show lasts all day long and does not go by quick. You can see multiple artists perform within the same day. Each artists’ set does not go any longer than 30 minutes so you can keep on moving.
2. A VARIETY OF MUSIC. Yes. Warped Tour does specifically highlight alternative music like pop-punk or emo hardcore metal but what most people don’t know is that it offers different kinds of music too. In the past The Transplants (a punk-rap) group has played, along with Riff Raff. People shake their heads at the idea of Warped Tour assuming it’s just a loud obnoxious “emo” fest when really it’s just like any other music festival like Coachella or Gov Ball. Give it a chance.
3. MEET NEW FRIENDS. This is a no-brainer. Thousands of people attend Warped at each venue and people flock to the sets of different artists. If all of you are going to see the same artist why not spark up a conversation while you’re waiting for them to come to the stage? In the moment that the artist is performing, you all become family with so much in common. Yes you may barely know each other but what’s perfect between you is your tastes in music. It’s a long day. Spend it with the right people.
4. MEET YOUR FAVORITE BANDS. Warped Tour makes meeting your favorite artists or bands SO easy. Typically at a concert you need to buy meet and greet passes which can be expensive. The ticket to get into Warped is general admission (only about $30) and how you spend your day is up to you. Artists post on their social media where they may be throughout the day. There are hundreds of merchandise tents put up around the venue because that is where artists do signings and take pictures with their fans for no extra cost! Just follow your favorite artists on social media and you can see what stage they’re performing on and even if they’re doing any workshops. I myself had the chance to attend a workshop presented by TEI led by Andy Black or Black Veil Brides, where he talked to fans about how he started his band and tips for people who wish to follow in his footsteps. Later in the day, I went to his signing at the Journeys tent. Btw, yes he is beautiful.
5. DISCOVER NEW MUSIC. Between wanting to see artists you planned on seeing perform, you will have a lot of free time. During this time you can go to the free hydration station and cool off, use the bathroom, OR go see other artists! Hundreds of artists attend this tour so how could you not want to see them too? Finding a new song that you instantly like and cannot stop playing is a blessing. I love getting a song stuck in my head from a concert then going home and looking up the song and adding it to my playlist. But seriously, make the most out of your long day and pack in seeing as many artists as you can.
6. IT’S A SUMMER SHOW. Yes you may have other responsibilities like Summer school or work but the dates released for each venue are released in advance in case you need to take a day off or make any arrangements. Every year at my venue in Hartford, CT the show falls on a Sunday so I’ve always been able to go but it is not impossible to go to for anyone with more responsibilities. But before going back to school or work in the fall, I suggest going to as many shows as you can. While you’re studying for finals and stuck in the office you can look back on this wonderful day and look forward to next summer. Until next year Warped Tour! You’ve been good to us.