WARPED TOUR 2009
For many fans, bands and music enthusiasts it really wouldn’t be summer without a trip to the Van’s Warped Tour. From bands that play the entire tour, to fans who “follow” the tour to multiple cities, to the first time attendees who go to the one date in their hometown... there is just something about Warped Tour. It's like the icing on the cake of the summer concert season. People we talked to remarked with “its Warped Tour-I wouldn’t miss it” and “it’’s not summer without Warped Tour” type statements. Attendees become so attached to the tour being a part of their summer that some take a very personal interest in the tour and its lineup of bands. As musical tastes change and what’s “in” becomes what’s “out” there has always been controversy about which bands play the tour. This year however things went to a whole new level when fans started petitions over bands that they thought should or shouldn’t be playing this summer. The controversy over the lineup didn’t seem to hurt Warped Tours draw this summer. At the two dates MusicBox attended crowds were lined up hours before doors and venues were packed with enthusiastic fans. And once these fans are inside the gates there is enough variety to satisfy even the most jaded attendee. Everything from Punk to Rock to Ska to Neon Crunkcore was represented this summer. One of the things that sets Warped apart is Kevin Lyman’s ability to choose new bands from both here and abroad that bring a unique assortment of music to the tour. And with multiple stages going all day if you don’t like one band you can just move on and discover something else. MusicBox attended the DC (Columbia, MD) and Virginia Beach dates this summer and was able to catch bands and acts such as 3oh!3, Streetlight Manifesto, Shooter Jennings, Jeffree Starr, Underoath , NOFX and Vamps (a rock band from Japan). These bands represent just a portion of the musical variety that was presented this summer. As the tour snakes its way across the US and Canada throughout the summer months there really is something for everyone and something about Warped Tour that truly defines summer.
Be sure to catch Warped Tour this summer. For dates and cities visit the official Warped Tour WEBSITE
Can't make the tour or just want to relive the fun? Be sure to catch the Van's Warped Tour 15th anniversary celebration coming soon to theaters nationwide.
Be sure to check out our Warped Tour 2009 photos in the gallery!
MusicBox wishes to thank Van's Warped Tour for their help with this article.
Article and all photos and videos copyright MusicBox Entertainment 2009.
