2016 will mark the 13th consecutive year I’ve attended the Vans Warped Tour. That essentially means half of my life I’ve been getting broiled like a lobster and seeing rising young bands every summer, which is something I would never change. I can’t think of a lineup that I’ve not enjoyed at least a dozen bands on, and that’s kind of the beauty of it, really.
That said, if you haven’t been to Warped Tour before, or if you need a general guide to who to see and what to experience this year, the Music Director/DJ of Black Squirrel Radio, Craig Zombar, has put together a massive guide just for you, featuring info about non-profits, how not to die from heatstroke, and most importantly, what bands to check out. I’ve also thrown together a few words in the article, but Craig did the bulk of the work – so if you enjoy what you read, be sure to check out Black Squirrel Radio.
It’s now Vans Warped Tour season, the lineup has been announced, and with that comes article after article about the tour. I want this particular article to be a one-stop-shop for anyone coming to Warped Tour this year. In this article I will discuss the lineup, changes to the tour, what to expect if you’re a first timer, cool new sponsors and end it with a list of the Top 10 most underrated bands on this years lineup.
So in case anyone who is reading this article lives under a rock, you will find out that this years Vans Warped Tour lineup is simply incredible. Out of the 81 acts that are announced on the official VWT website, there are 7 meh acts, in my opinion, announced. So that’s 74/81 which equals a 91%. An A-. Definitely a lineup that is not too shabby Mr. Lyman. (Tbh that Prof guy could grow on me over time…). If you want to check it out for yourself, which I encourage you to do, click here. www.vanswarpedtour.com
With this absolutely incredible lineup comes many problems that arise out of it. The first problem is that it’s pretty much impossible to catch every band one wants to see this year.
Even if someone sets up a lawn chair at the Main Stages and leaves during Pepper/Falling In Reverse to get a hot pretzel/use the facilities/spill a bucket of water on themself since they never got water throughout the day, etc. There is still the Monster Party Zone stages, Cyclops/Poseidon Stages & The Full Sail stage that need love too, and probably have bands on there that you want to see as well. Let us not even get started about all of the tents to see and visit.
Now if you want to just chill by the main stages and do what was just mentioned, then by all means do. I am just trying to encourage that Warped Tour is a place where you can see your favorite bands, and also catch some of your new favorites.
My advice, first off bring water to your Main Stage lounge chair. Don’t be silly.
But no seriously, actually drink a lot of water throughout the day. Hydration is real guys. Especially for the first timers.
Now going back to the lineup, I recommend you separate the lineup into different lists.
First is the “Must-See” list. This list is literally as small as possible. That way it’ll be much easier to prevent your heart being broken into bits and pieces throughout the day.
My Must-See list this year is, drum-roll please……..just Sum 41 & Good Charlotte. Why? I feel like the rest of the lineup will be possible to see again some other time. One never knows when these two might tour again, or how much a ticket price will be.
The next list is the “I Would Love To See” list. This list is just essentially the must-see list, except you won’t figuratively die if you can’t see them for some reason. This is where a band like Four Year Strong goes or me. And honestly, the rest of the warped lineup.
Then there’s the “I Would Like To See” list, which is for bands you don’t like a ton, but you wouldn’t mind going to their set. Then there’s a “No” list for everyone else you don’t like.
I also recommend you don’t stay for full sets of a band. Typically the full-sets you go to are for your must-sees. During sets, the line at the CoolGear Water Tent has a tumbleweed blowing past it, and you can walk to another stage to catch another band. You see more bands using this method.
This year on the Vans Warped Tour there is no Beatport, Ernie Ball or Acoustic Basement stage, but I feel they may come back in the next few years if Warped Tour does great this year financially. It’s definitely one of the best line-ups in years, so it definitely seems possible.
Other changes include a new Ernie Ball Contest. Typically 5 local bands would get chosen to open the Ernie Ball Stage at their local dates. Due to the cut back, Ernie Ball decided to do something a little different. 1 local band for each date will get to have a set on the Main Stage. This is huge for any band, but also again can be problematic.
I believe that only bands who are truly ready should be playing the main stage. There are many of these types of bands in each of the cities Warped Tour is coming to this year. So picking the winner will be pretty difficult for the judges. Each band that wins should be the one to truly represent their cities local scene. I hope that Ernie Ball get’s it right with each and every pick.
I encourage you all to give that band a chance at your date this year. If they’re good enough to play main stage, they’re probably awesome. Expect the invasion of the Easycore genre too. *wink wink*
Next I would like to address some of the super cool sponsors/charities Warped tour sponsors. This is where you can scroll down and see the 10 bands, or you could be cool and realize that this is a great part about the Vans Warped Tour.
This year Warped Tour has partnered up with Cincinnati-based charity “A Voice For The Innocent” and they want to try and help combat sexual assaults in our scene. They want to make the numbers of these cases, either by fans, or the artists themselves, down to 0. I believe it is definitely possible. Also what is cool about having this organization on the tour this year, is if some controversy happens, i’m sure they’ll be the ones to know how to handle the situation properly.
I encourage you all to sign this petition/pledge to help combat sexual assault in the scene here and see an article here where they will explain more about what they’re doing this year.
As always, definitely bring canned goods to donate to the FeedOurChildren now tent! Typically it’s 3 canned goods, $5, or an old-cell phone and that will get you in the skip-the-line line. This line goes to the main line by doors a little quicker, and this is for a great cause. Definitely bring more than what was mentioned as well:).
There are other great sponsors to check out as well and i encourage you to click here to get more information.
Things to expect for your first Warped Tour? I’ll keep this short and sweet.
Dress comfortably. We’ll all look like absolute shit once the day is over. You’ll be dripping sweat, it’s unavoidable. The new hairstyle you’ll have will look stunning.
Wear close-toed shoes. Your feet will hurt, they’ll hurt more later on in the day if you wear athletic running shoes. :).
Small bands will be trying to get their name out there in the line. If they’re nice to you, be nice to them and check out their band. Hopefully you like them! Try and keep $10 to buy 2 CDs from random bands in the line. You never know if they’ll be the next Mayday Parade or 7 Minutes In Heaven (they’re known line hustlers).
Don’t eat the pizza/burger if you get sick easily. I don’t even recommend buying food. Take a bunch of granola bars and have a kickass Taco Bell/McDonald’s run on your way home. If you have to buy food, do the hot pretzel. It’s filling, typically only around $5, and probably won’t make you sick on a hot day.
This get’s its own separate tip. Eat. Breakfast. And a healthy one at that. I recommend bringing a bunch of fruit to eat in the line. It gives you a bunch of sugar you’ll need. McDonald’s/Taco Bell breakfast isn’t the best thing before Warped Tour. Believe me, i’ve had each of them for each year i’ve gone. You have to go on more restroom breaks, let’s leave it at that.
Drink. Water. Just do it. You can bring a normal plastic water bottle in. Keep hydrating yourself. Especially since the free water tent ends at around 6pm. So then you’ll have to last the last 2 hours with whatever you have left in your makeshift cantine.
Plan a break to just sit down and chill for awhile in the middle of the day. Find a nice tree with shade, do some planning, eat your pretzel, etc.
See bands you haven’t seen before. Even with 2 dates this year, it’ll be pushing it to see every band you will want to see. But if you don’t need to see a particular band, give a smaller band an extra person in the crowd. They’ll definitely appreciate it.
Don’t wait in huge as hell lines for signings. If you want to do that, then just do one of them. An hour waiting for a handshake/selfie could’ve been 2-3 bands. If you want to wait in lines all day, then by all means, but keep the handshakes/selfies to a minimum. Smaller bands will be chilling at their tents all day and could use some selfies ;).
Check out all the sponsors/non-profit tents when you can, and try and support a smaller bands march table. The smaller bands truly need the help financially. You can buy all the Falling In Reverse merch you want of course, but maybe sneak in a Like Pacific shirt while you’re at it as well.
Buy the $2 Schedule. Don’t try and write it down/take a picture of it. Especially this year. Spend $2. Use highlighters too.
Warped is known for all the stuff that’s free. Don’t ask for it. Just scope it out and use your human instincts to determine if something is free.
Bring a backpack. But keep it as empty as possible when you walk in. Don’t be me and bring an extra shirt, sandals, etc. Free stuff/band march fills up your bag quickly.
Have fun. O and drink water! Pack Sunscreen!!!!!
And now but not least! The 10 most underrated bands on the Vans Warped Tour lineup (in order of most to least….most underrated)
Vanna
You know where I mentioned give a small band an extra person in the crowd, or when I said check out a band you don’t know? Well on Warped 2014, this was one of the bands that I did just that. I heard about these guys. But I was not planning on seeing them. I just happened to be in the Monster Stage area, and only 10 people were there. Someone told me that Vanna was on next. They had to combat Bowling for Soup playing at the same time. But I just couldn’t bring myself to leave that stage. I honestly felt really bad. So I’m like “fuck it I’ll stay”. These motherfuckers put on one of the best sets i’ve ever seen.
The screamer Davey, immediately got into the crowd and started moshing with everyone and was kicking up as much dust as possible/having a great time. The band themselves sounded awesome live. At the end he made sure everyone in the crowd got in a circle around him to do their final song “Digging,” which is about Digging out of the problems that life puts you through.
This band has been on Warped a few times, but they really never get talked about and I don’t know why. They’re insanely good. So I really hope you check these guys out. You’ll have a great time! They’ve been around for over a decade, by the way.
Here’s their song Toxic Pretender. and yes they sound like that live.
Old Wounds
If you like angry music, and if you need a band to release that energy on, than this is the band for you. I checked these dudes out, and immediately wanted to just go wild at one of their shows. I bet these dudes will have some insane pits this year! They’re a hardcore/sludge/metal/grind (basically almost every subgenre of heavy music you can think of) band from Jersey, so you know they’ve got something to say (and smash).
Here’s their song “Rest In Piss”
Assuming We Survive
If you’re not into the whole “screaming” thing, it’s totally fine. AWS is based out of LA and they’ve been getting themselves on quite a few tours. Opening up for Falling In Reverse and other bands in our scene. I’ve heard of these guys before, but never really checked them out. And when I did. I wondered why they weren’t big.
These dudes look a little older too, they’ve been fighting and clawing for a long time. I remember hearing an EP from them from a close friend of the band, back in 2013 – they captured my attention, and when I found out they were on a HUGE tour with FIR last year, I was excited for them. They’ll probably remind you of Four Year Strong a bit.
This song “Better Without You” is definitely about an ex, and it’s my new song to listen to once I get depressed about my ex. I’ll see you in a crowd screaming these lyrics. (and if I was small/skinny enough I’d on top of the crowd with y’all). Such a banger, good lord have mercy. ;-;
The next 3 bands are bands that we would’ve seen at Warped Tour in the late 1990s easily. They bring back those late 90’s pop punk sounds to a T.
Masked Intruder
I’ll never lie in one of my articles. I definitely fanboy squealed when I saw these guys got on Warped. I really didn’t know that Kevin Lyman knew who they were or anything. But these dudes are so fun, energetic, bring a great live set, etc. Please go to their march tent and take the funniest selfies with them.
This is a band the scene needs to learn more about. You’re welcome for me letting you know they exist. Here’s their song “Crime Spree” and yes each member has their own colored mask, instrument & matching Converse shoes. For you fashionistas out there, I’m sure y’all can appreciate their style – and I guess OCD people too! <3
Teenage Bottlerocket
We should call up this band and tell them it’s not 1999 anymore or something. All of their music is straight of that year. They bring Warped Tour back to its roots. Bring back the halfpipes ;-;
In a serious note, their drummer recently just passed away, and it’s amazing to see them back out touring again and keeping 90’s skater pop punk alive. These dudes are awesome and you will love them. This is their song “Skate Or Die”.
The Interrupters
More 90s sounds. I love 90s sounds. I hope you all like 90s sounds. *you raise hand* “What if I don’t like 90s sounds? :(. Where are the small bands I like? really Craig? ;-;” Well, I mean you’ll probably see that cool new band Fearless Records signed in the honorable mentions category ;).
But for serious, this band has received no attention whatsoever. So I just wanted to help them bring out some attention. They deserve it, and they also keep the Vans Warped Tour roots alive.
Their raw 90s punk sound is something that not too many bands have nowadays, and is something the scene could use more of.
Here’s their song “Take Back The Power”.
Safe To Say
Speaking of bands who I have not heard a word mentioned about. This band takes the cake in being basically unknown this year. Yes, this band exists, and they’re playing the Full Sail Stage all summer. They sound as if Citizen & Title Fight had a baby, and It’s magical. I can see these dudes getting big. You’ve heard it here folks.
Here’s their song “Summer Sickness”.
Reckless Serenade
This is another band that is playing the Full Sail Stage all summer. Which is well-deserved in my opinion. I always see their name on a lot of small tours out here in Ohio. These dudes seem to work their asses off a bit. What’s great is that their music is awesome too!!! 😀
Here’s their rock ballad style song. “Pretty Monster.” On their EP they go through other styles of pop punk too. This band is awesome!
Gideon
So this band isn’t really being talked about. But they’re about to have some of the craziest mosh pits this year. Easily. The Monster Stage is perfect for this band. Watch them get huge after this tour. Look the heck out for Gideon everybody.
Here’s their song “Survive” ft Caleb Shomo of Beartooth. Let’s hope grounds crews survive after having to repair the plot of land where the monster stage is after Gideon plays. (and Chelsea Grin too i guess….)
Emarosa
Last but not least, we have Emarosa. This band is one of the best live bands in the scene. Brad Walden is such a great vocalist and i’m so glad this band is having the rebirth they deserved. They got a great spot on the Poseidon this year. Expect Brad to climb up amphitheaters mid-set.
Also yes, Emarosa is on the tour this year. I haven’t heard any words spoken about these guys either. Here’s their song “People Like Me, We Just Don’t Play.” Expect Brad to be immediately on the barricade singing. The whole venue is a stage for Mr.Walden.
(Editor’s Picks: Capsize & Silent Planet)
These two are my favorite bands of the tour (besides Atreyu, anyway), and they both have a lot in common other than genre – they’re both extremely passionate about telling stories (whether existential, in the case of Silent Planet, and personal, in the case of Capsize), they’re touring machines, and they’re both releasing new albums (hopefully, anyway) sometime this year. Having experienced both bands in under 200 capacity venues, I’ll say that both of them will also be playing higher profile stages soon. Watch out, world. Melodic hardcore and metalcore have 2 new saviors.
I hope the 10 i picked were definitely surprising to you. There are other bands that deserve it too of course, and I will mention them shortly. I just felt these 10 bands needed the attention the most. Other smaller bands on this tour have major labels of our scene backing them, so they’ll be okay. These bands? I mean hopefully they’ll do fine of course, but I think they’ll need some help :).
Honorable Mentions:
the entire rest of the lineup, lol. jk. Definitely check these guys out too. Thank you so much for reading! Hope to see you someday being your Warped Tour Pit Reporter :).
Oceans Ate Alaska (an INSANE drummer), Pepper (older reggae ska band that has been on warped in the mid 00s. they were main in 2011), Like Pacific, Cruel Hand, Broadside, Wage War, Cane Hill, Roam, Too Close To Touch, Hail The Sun, Coldrain, Waterparks, With Confidence, & Ballyhoo!
Who else are you excited to see on Warped? How long have you been attending? Sound off in the comments!
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