Do you recall your first experience at Warped Tour? I sure do. My friend Alex and I convinced our buddy Sarah to drive us by offering her a ticket. She arrived at my house with a lanky guy sporting bleached hair, oversized jeans, and a tank top. He was probably around 18, but at 15, I thought he was ancient because he had a car that didn’t leak oil. He zoomed us from Provo to the Salt Lake City fairgrounds at what felt like 200 miles per hour—what should’ve been a one-hour trip was completed in half that time.
It was July in the scorching heat, and the mosh pits felt like they were on fire. During the Deftones’ set, I got punched in the face, and that guy with the reliable car left the venue with his pants and tank top shredded as if a bear had attacked him. Can you believe that was 20 YEARS AGO?
We were pretty cool back in 1998, right? Now, we’re approaching the age where doctors start recommending colonoscopies. How did we get here so fast?
For many of us, Warped Tour represented our youth. I attended every year from 1998 to 2004, the year I tied the knot. I witnessed artists like Blink-182, Eminem, The Black Eyed Peas, and Katy Perry before they became household names. I also caught legendary bands like Pennywise, Social Distortion, NOFX, Bad Religion, Dropkick Murphys, The Bouncing Souls, Rancid, Flogging Molly, Anti-Flag, and The Offspring—the soundtrack to my teenage years.
I know I’m not alone in this sentiment. The reason Warped Tour has been the longest-running touring music festival in North America is clear: it holds a special place in the hearts of so many. If you’re reading this, chances are you also fondly remember those sweaty mosh pits and relentless sunburns.
But as they say, all good things must come to an end. After 24 years of touring, Kevin Lyman, the founder of the festival, has announced its final run. He shared this bittersweet news on the Warped Tour page: “I have been incredibly fortunate to travel across the country and even around the world as one of the founders and producers of the Vans Warped Tour. Today, with mixed emotions, I announce that next year will mark the last full cross-country run of the Vans Warped Tour.”
In an interview with Billboard, he cited an evolving summer festival landscape, a dwindling pool of bands, and decreasing ticket sales among teens as reasons for ending the tour. Simply put, Warped Tour isn’t as culturally relevant as it once was. This realization hits hard. My kids will never experience the thrill of poring over stage schedules, strategizing to catch their favorite acts, or going crowd surfing only to have some jerk swipe their shoe—prompting them to perform a desperate act they never thought they’d do: stealing a shoe from someone else in the crowd!
The 2018 lineup hasn’t been announced yet, but rumors are swirling about potential acts, including My Chemical Romance, Blink-182, and even the original Misfits. For the sentimental ones, there are exclusive farewell tour packages that include collectible Warped Tour Vans (though I wouldn’t recommend wearing them if you’re planning to crowd surf).
Here’s a fun fact for parents: if you accompany your child, you get into Warped Tour for free! That’s right—one ticket for your child means one free parent admission. My kids are still too young to appreciate all the chaos, but if you have a tween or teen who doesn’t find you completely embarrassing, now is your opportunity to relive your youth. This final tour is likely to feature a mix of nostalgic bands and emerging artists that your kids will enjoy.
As we bid farewell to this beloved festival, let’s share memories. Below is a picture of me, a late-teen Jordan Matthews, circa 1999, on my way home from Warped Tour. Wasn’t my Kurt Cobain-inspired hair amazing? Feel free to share your own pictures in the comments!
Thank you, Warped Tour, for the unforgettable memories.
Summary
Warped Tour, the beloved music festival that defined the youth of many, is set to conclude after 24 years. Founded by Kevin Lyman, the tour has showcased countless artists and bands that shaped the music scene. As it prepares for its final run, fans reflect on their nostalgic experiences while also looking forward to the new acts that will grace the stage one last time.