Vans Warped Tour—an annual traveling tour across the United States—is coming to a close after twenty-three years of being active. This tour has been best known for its many bands in varying genres and sub-genres of rock, punk, and metal, and has carried many well-known bands and artists over the years, including Avenged Sevenfold, Linkin Park, Paramore, Blink-182—and even Katy Perry in 2009.
I have been a relative newcomer to the pop punk scene because I used to be tentative about straying beyond already familiar music.
However, I am thankful that I have broadened my horizons, as it has quickly risen to become one of my favorite genres. When I discovered that Vans Warped Tour regularly stopped at Shoreline Amphitheatre, a whopping four and a half miles from my house, I knew it was something I wanted to see—especially with it being the final year.
This show in particular had sold out; that meant stifling crowds and long lines—and, of course, traffic.
Walking to the amphitheatre got me to the line a lot faster than driving would have—though it didn't matter much, as I still spent over an hour in line. There is an option to skip the line by donating either three canned goods, five dollars, or a used cell phone to a tent by the line for the organization "Feed Our Children NOW!", but by the time I had reached their tent, all of the express entry wristbands were gone.
I barely managed to make it to the Waterparks meet and greet on time, and I waited in another relatively long line, missing the All Time Low meet and greet in the process.
The boys only had about half an hour according to their Twitter, yet they went over time, which luckily gave me the opportunity to meet them. I may just be a "fangirl", but getting to interact with them for a mere minute was worth waiting in the line. They were polite and attentive, satisfying most people's needs for a picture or an autograph. Despite this, they still went through the line fast, as they wanted to meet as many people as possible before the workers got mad at them for causing long lines around the tent areas. Honestly, my main tip would be too constantly check your favorite bands' social medias for set and meet and greet times; the meet and greet times specifically aren't posted all in one place.
Next, I spent time browsing the tents and buying merch.
One such tent included the FEND tent, which educates people on the dangers of opioids. Having the FEND app and completing the first level allows Vans Warped Tour goers to have a chance at winning private acoustic sets with either Waterparks or We The Kings; however, I was not one of them, and instead I tried to win via a spinner at the FEND tent. I didn't win with the spinner either, despite being only a tick away from an acoustic set; instead, I ended up getting a free fanny pack, which I am still a little miffed about. On a happier note, I got to see a little part of Mayday Parade's set before I was swept away in the turmoil that was my schedule.
The next thing on the agenda was Awsten Knight's TEI class—meant to be educational, though, knowing Awsten, it definitely was not going to be.
And I was right—the Waterparks vocalist spent the near hour putting his drummer, Otto Wood in a box, asking him our questions, playing catch with him, then painting everyone's nails while we listened to music from Insidious. In conclusion, it was worth the thirty dollars—after all, Awsten Knight is a specimen and him just breathing is interesting. However, the TEI class was in no way a meet and greet, as stated on the website. Many fans were still disappointed that they did not get photo opportunities or autographs from the class, despite it explicitly saying that they are prohibited.
One thing I hadn't really anticipated from the TEI class was how many people went, though, to be honest, I shouldn't have been surprised, knowing whose class I was going to.
But still—people overflowed the two TEI tents set up for Awsten's class and many people were sitting on the burning hot ground, though not for the whole time, luckily. The TEI classes were behind the Journey's Left Foot Stage, so I did get to see Alex and Rian from All Time Low as well, which was a plus.
After I left the TEI class and Awsten wandered off to play his band's acoustic set, I got some food and dropped by multiple sets, including Tonight Alive and The Maine.
Unfortunately, I missed Simple Plan's set so I could get to the Journey's Left Foot Stage early—just missing Black Veil Brides' set as well, I managed to get a relatively good view at the Waterparks set.
Though no incidents had occurred at this particular date, I do stress holding up crowdsurfers; I have heard on many occasions that specifically these fans had been dropped and sustained injuries from others refusing to hold them up.
Being close to the front for the Parx set had me at the barricade for the State Champs set, and I waited, despite the fact that their performance was delayed half an hour.
I'm glad I stayed instead of leaving early like I had almost convinced myself to do; State Champs has great music and they are great in general. Honestly, my main observation from their set was that their crowd was a great deal better than the Parx crowd. Both bands, of course, are phenomenal live; however, the fans at the State Champs set were a great deal more enthusiastic and I felt more comfortable among them.
The day, of course, ended with an amazing and nostalgic set from All Time Low.
They are veterans of the tour, having traveled with Vans Warped Tour for five summers, so it was only right for them to close it. There was something so reassuring about hearing thousands of people singing into the night, including me, alongside one of my favorite bands. And alongside Helena (So Long and Goodnight), which played as we were leaving the amphitheatre too.
Despite the long hours in the sweaty lines and crowds, even despite my sunburnt nose, Vans Warped Tour 2018 was a surreal experience.
So many bands I wanted to see live, I saw. And, just by going, I have been exposed to other bands that I'm interested in getting into as well. There were so many missed opportunities that day, mainly caused by me being a first-timer, yet I still wouldn't trade the experience for anything. I know that I am privileged for being able to afford to go, as well as having a Warped Tour stop near me, and I am extremely thankful for everything that occurred that day. I loved being with people who are usually rowdy, quiet, or in between, all with one thing in common—pop punk. I loved shouting along with them to the lyrics of my favorite songs, and the songs of my favorite bands, and I'm unlikely to forget this experience anytime soon. Thank you for everything, Vans Warped Tour.
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