Well. It's been just over a week since The Vans Warped Tour ended for the year and I'm feeling the post Warped Tour sads. [And I’m not the only one; http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/bands_react_to_the_end_of_Warped_Tour_2016] So, it's time for my yearly recap. Warped is one of my favorite things that happened every year and I'm so happy be living that part of my life again.
This year was a little crazy. Pomona and San Diego weren't on different ends of the tour this year, they were both settled at the end of August two dates apart. I went to both (and squeezed in a Panic! at the Disco show in between. Yes, I am crazy. And tired.). I had a great time this year. Like, even better than last year. Like, I already miss it and wanna go back, but since I can’t I’m counting down the days until next year. It was fantastic. Kevin Lyman and the Warped crew decided this year needed to be simplified and have a return to form; all about the music. Fewer stages, no comedy tents, just good music. With that in mind, I’m going to try and just talk about music, and leave out all of the crazy personal hijinks I got into (I got into a lot of them. Shoutout to my homies Ruby, Brenda, Regina, and Darrel though. Love you guys!).
I'm quite often a bit too ambitious when it comes to what I hope to get done at festivals, especially Warped. And the lineup this year was crazy good! Crazy good!
Out of all of the bands playing, here’s who I hoped to see;; Atreyu, Broadside, Capsize?, Chelsea Grin*, Chunk! No, Captain Chunk, Crown the Empire*, Emarosa, Every Time I Die, Falling In Reverse, Four Year Strong, Ghost Town, I See Stars, Ice Nine Kills, In Hearts Wake*, Issues, Knuckle Puck, Less Than Jake*, Marina City?, Masked Intruder*, Mayday Parade, Mother Feather, Motionless In White, New Found Glory, Oceans At Alaska*, Old Wounds, Palaye Royale, Real Friends, Roam?, Set It Off, Sleeping With Sirens, State Champs, The Maine*, Tonight Alive*, Too Close To Touch, Vanna, Veil of Maya?, Wage War?, Waterparks, We The Kings?,Whitechapel?, With Confidence, Yellowcard, Young Guns* [my personal note taking key - *if there's time ? maaaaaaybe]
There was no way that was going to happen in one day. No way. But, I made a valiant effort. Here’s my final tally (I know there are things missing, because I spent a bunch of time just chilling at the Monster stage in Pomona).
San Diego; New Found Glory, Four Year Strong, Ice Nine Kills, Real Friends, Old Wounds, Masked Intruder, Yellowcard, State Champs, Palaye Royale, Vanna, The World Alive, I See Stars, Set It Off, ISSUES, Falling In Reverse, WATERPARKS, Motionless In White, Sleeping With Sirens
My Pomona experience was a little wonky, because the entrance set up at this venue was incredibly disorganized. :/ The stages were also super close to each other and it was a little weird, but whatever.
Pomona; Sum 41, State Champs, Every Time I Die, Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!, Masked Intruder, Motionless In White, Omarosa, New Found Glory, Ice Nine Kills, Set It Off, Sleeping With Sirens, Volumes, Wake Flaka Flame, From Ashes to New, Issues
Overall; both days were great. However, San Diego had a better set up and it wasn’t as hot, so it was a bit more of an enjoyable experience. The bands were all on point this year. It was a week before the end of the tour, but no one was phoning it in. Every one put on a great set, hearts were it, the crowds were mostly really great. I met some super cute nice girls. It was nothing but positive vibes. I love being around other weird kids (or adults, because nothing like going to Warped at 28 to make you realize you’re not a fucking a teenager anymore). Throw in a Panic! concert in between both dates with some of my best girlfriends, and it was a weekend I will never fucking forget. (My phone died at Pomona half way through the day, and I'm having issues uploading videos. Lame, right? I'm going to try and cut something together later this week).
Warped is over, and the summer is coming to a close, but that doesn't mean the scene is going into hibernation. There are some great tours/festivals coming around this fall. I have seen the majority of the bands listed below live, and if any of them were listed above, do not hesitate to go see them. They all put on one hell of a show.
Sleeping With Sirens, State Champs, Tonight Alive AND Waterparks (http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/sleeping_with_sirens_announce_tour_with_state_champs_tonight_alive_waterpar)
The Wonder Years, Real Friends, Knuckle Puck, Moose Blood, AND Seaway (http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/the_wonder_years_real_friends_knuckle_puck_others_announce_tour)
Ice Nine Kills, Secrets, Sylar, Cover Your Tracks and Out Came The Wolves (http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/ap_presents_ice_nine_kills_tour_with_secrets_sylar_cover_your_tracks_out_ca)
Blink-182, A Day to Remember, All Time Low, and All American Rejects (http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/blink_182_announce_tour_with_a_day_to_remember_all_time_low_the_all_am)
Chain Fest (http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/coheed_and_cambria_circa_survive_underoath_headline_first_ever_chain_fest)
Beach Goth (http://beachgothfest.com)
Beartooth, Every Time I Die, Fit For A King, AND Old Wounds (http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/every_time_i_die_fit_for_a_king_old_wounds_touring_with_beartooth)
Memphis May Fire, The Devil Wears Prada, Silverstein, Like Moths to Flames (http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/the_devil_wears_prada_announce_tour_with_memphis_may_fire_silverstein_like)
Simple Plan, Hit the Lights, and Story Untold (http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/simple_plan_announce_tour_with_all_time_low_pvris)
Pierce the Veil, Neck Deep, and I Prevail (http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/pierce_the_veil_neck_deep_more_announce_tour)
Good Charlotte, The Story So Far, Set Your Goals, Four Year Strong, Hit The Lights, and Big Jesus (http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/good_charlotte_announce_tour_with_the_story_so_far_four_year_strong_others)
I Am Ghost (http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/i_am_ghost_announce_reunion_show)
Axilla, Chelsea Grin, Immure, and Sylar (http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/chelsea_grin_emmure_sylar_touring_with_attila)
Asking Alexandria, I See Stars, Born of Osiris (http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/asking_alexandria_i_see_stars_born_of_osiris_others_announced_for_sumerian)
I miss seeing posts about Warped all over my social media every day. I wish I was back in the sun seeing my favorite bands and crying to my favorite songs. But, there's always next year!
I'm including my personal get pumped for Warped playlist.
Be back soon with more! We've got the August playlist coming, some more of my "words of wisdom", and quite possibly a vlog...maybe. Remember to follow me on social media, it's a more real time experience of what's up in my life (unless you are related to me - then stay FAR FAR away from my twitter).
changing and growing always. xo. jordan.