Every summer for the past 24 years, thousands of music fans across the country attend a music festival called the Warped Tour. Warped Tour is unique compared to other music festivals because it is not in just one location. Warped travels to over 40 cities every summer with over 60 bands performing at each date. This festival is all day, usually from 11 am. to 10 pm. Most people view this as strictly a punk rock music festival, but several rap and pop artists have performed, such as Eminem, The Black Eyed Peas, and Katy Perry. Depending on the year, each show has between 7-9 stages. The Monster Energy stages are typically where the heavy metal bands play. The Journey stages are reserved for the bands that headline the tour, and the final three stages give new up and coming artists a place to perform.
Warped Tour is not only the about the music, but about the community of people that attend it. It is a judgment-free area, so making new friends is inevitable. The tour creates a safe space for everyone, no matter your race, religion, or political beliefs. The people that attend look after each other as they would a family member. For example, last year an awful storm came midway through the day. I witnessed numerous people giving their extra umbrellas and ponchos to strangers. Unfortunately, last summer was the last Warped Tour ever, but the values the tour stands for will never die. The picture below perfectly sums up the spirit of the tour. A young disabled girl wanted to crowd surf but had difficulty doing so because she was in a wheelchair. The people around her lifted her up, and passed her along so she could experience crowd surfing.
This sounds really fun. I’ve heard of the Warped Tout, but I always thought it was just rock bands performing. I like the idea that it’s inclusive and the energy seems welcoming.
This sounds really fun. I’ve heard of the Warped Tour, but I always thought it was just rock bands performing. I like the idea that it’s inclusive and the energy seems welcoming.
Your description of Warped Tour and how kind people are to one another is so spot on. A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to experience Warped tour and see how all these strangers collected in one place at the same time and treated one another like family. Thanks for posting this for everyone to see.
I appreciate this post because it shows how music creates such a unique culture and environment. I agree that there is an overwhelming sense of community whenever you attend a concert or festival, singing along and vibing with complete strangers. I like how this festival tried to give as many people the particular experience from Warped Tour as possible by traveling to different cities with such a massive lineup.
I have been a part of the punk, goth, and metal subcultures for many years. I was a teenager when the first Warped Tour took place. While these communities have their misbehaviors, I have never seen as much comradery as I see at these shows. People from so many different walks of life hugging and singing together, sharing stories of the first time they saw the band, handling those who break the unwritten rules. There are so many negative preconceptions about these communities so it is great to see this positive post.