Next summer will be the last cross-country run of Vans Warped Tour, which is one of the few remaining traveling music festivals.
Created in 1995, founder Kevin Lyman stated multiple reasons as to why the 24th year would be the last, including a dwindling selection of bands, a drop in ticket sales, and an overall evolving industry. There is still an entire summer’s worth of North American dates to take place in 2018, though. No artists have been confirmed yet, as Lyman is still working on the bill, with the hopes of bringing back some Warped icons.
“You’re gonna see a big mix of bands I felt really embraced the Warped Tour lifestyle,” he told Billboard. “I don’t want to say a ‘mature’ lineup, but bands that I think could use one more big push of Warped Tour to help further their careers.”
Warped Tour started off as an alternative rock-focused fest, but by the second go-around in 1996, it became the punk rock oriented tour we all know and love today. This is the same year that Vans became a backer, leaving them to be the main sponsor ever since, hence, Vans Warped Tour. It’s the largest traveling music fest in the United States, with a handful of dates in Canada, as well as various international treks.
The fest has been a takeoff point for the careers of many artists in the punk rock scene, including My Chemical Romance, Blink 182, Paramore, and Fall Out Boy. Believe it or not, even Katy Perry got her start on Warped Tour. This is just one of the many reasons why the tour ending is such a big deal to both fans and artists alike.
Warped Tour provides ample opportunities beyond being able to see your favorite bands live. It gives people the chance to meet bands at various signings throughout the day, make new friends, take part in various workshops including music lessons, support different charities, and much more. It’s something to look forward to.
Despite next year being the final continental trek, Vans Warped Tour won’t be gone forever—in fact, they plan on celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2019!
In case you haven’t been on Twitter lately, here are some fan reactions to the devastating news:
PETITION to get @MCRofficial to reunite for this final!!!!!!!! #foreverwarped #vanswarpedtour
— Rachel ☾ (@rachellfugate) November 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/EmilyLyster/status/930877571746672644
I mean the scene wasn't gonna last forever anyway. But damn…. This really feels like the end of it. #ForeverWarped
— tommy_pickles (@tommy_pickles) November 15, 2017
My first warped tour haha I was 13 and was dying to see AFI, Armor For Sleep and The Academy Is. Damn I’ve been going for 13 years this is sad lol #ForeverWarped
— Ariel Skye (@missarielskye) November 18, 2017
we still had vine and warped tour when obama was president
— gina (@heIIsandwich) November 16, 2017
i think warped tour ending is the first sign of the apocalypse
— 🕸phoebe🕸 (@phobe_williams) November 16, 2017
Can’t believe 2018 will be the last cross country run for @VansWarpedTour – Say what you want about punk and emo music, but Warped is such a special event for so many people #warpedtour2018
— Stephanie Boyd (@babyboyd24) November 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/alyssaking96/status/932096980536479744
The final year of Warped Tour should be a Metro Station headliner where they play Shake It from 11 AM to 9 PM every day on the main stage with no other bands or stages throughout the entire summer.
— matt johnson (@mattytyler4L) November 15, 2017
You goddamn pop-punk kids didn't listen to the banner and look what happened smdh #Warpedtour pic.twitter.com/uJOWfzn0lM
— soy boy troy (@tro_vita) November 16, 2017
Check out the list of the 2018 final Warped Tour Dates:
Which date of Warped Tour will you be attending? Leave us a comment or tweet us @soundigest and include your favorite Warped memories!
