The time has come: Vans Warped Tour 2018 will be the final cross-country expedition. Here’s nine bands you should catch.
1. Tonight Alive
Australian outfit Tonight Alive, once classic pop-punk at the start of their careers, took a turn for their 2016 album Limitless by tearing down the genre’s boundaries and opting instead for sparkling rock ballads. They’ve stuck to those guns for Underworld, their latest album released in January, but have also taken a darker route. Meaty guitar riffs crashing beautifully into raw determination and limitlessly soaring vocals is what they’ll be giving Warped Tour on the Journey’s Right Foot Stage. – FT
2. This Wild Life
With the upcoming release of their newest full length album, “Petaluma”, this acoustic duo from Long Beach is a breath of fresh air. If you need a break from the chaos of Warped Tour, or if you just want to hear some incredibly well-written love songs, you can catch This Wild Life on the Journey’s Right Foot stage. – KB
3. Simple Plan
Canadian rockers Simple Plan have been Warped Tour veterans since 2001, delivering a textured, raw, energetic punk sound. With a decade and a half of experience under their belts and contagious riffs catching in everyone’s ears, their set at the Journey’s Right Foot Stage will be both a nostalgic trip to the past with memorable songs from their discography and a quick jerk to the present with a hard to match stage presence. – FT
4. Real Friends
Real Friends are arguably the poster boys of Warped Tour. With their iconic pop punk tunes and a brand new song out, these Illinois sad boys are a must see. Find them on the Journey’s Right Foot stage. – KB
5. Mayday Parade
These Warped Tour legends are back for one last run. With electric stage presence and a brand new album out, Mayday Parade is an emo powerhouse and a Warped staple. Catch them on the Journey’s Left Foot stage. – KB
6. Kublai Khan
Kublai Khan stands out as a hard-hitting Texas hardcore band. This band breathes new life into the genre by bringing back elements of late 90’s metalcore and presenting lyrics riddled with social commentary. Two-step over to the Mutant Red Dawn stage for an unforgettable set and an enthusiastic crowd to match. – KB
7. Movements
Movements are one of the fastest growing bands on the scene right now, and for good reason. With the release of their debut album Feel Something back in October and their first headlining tour earlier this year, this Orange County post-hardcore band is taking the world by storm. Experience their emotional lyrics and compelling stage presence on the Journey’s Right Foot stage. – KB
8. 3OH!3
Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte are 3Oh!3, the Boulder, CO duo bringing sharp hooks and indie-electro beats back to Warped Tour. You’ll most definitely be able to catch most of the festival attendees in the front row, chanting one of the best one-liners ever written into a lyric: “If your boyfriend’s got beef, tell him I’m a vegetarian and I ain’t fuckin’ scared of him,” an iconic moment in so many people’s teenage scene phase. They released a full-length two years ago, Fueled by Ramen’s Night Spots, with the same dynamic genre-blurring sounds and groovy tunes, amped up with years of experience under their belt. – FT
9. All Time Low
It was in 2007 (…my goodness, eleven years ago!?) that then under-drinking-aged All Time Low set the world’s ears on fire with So Wrong, It’s Right. Only a few days ago, they released “Everything Is Fine,” appropriate for the warming weather and the sun that will no doubt be beating down upon the festival grounds. Infectious hooks and riffs, enthusiastic and distinct vocals, and an undoubtedly danceable beat is what they promise, and you can catch All Time Low on the Journey’s Right Foot stage for the first three dates of the festival. Not from Southern California? Don’t fret; they’re touring across the US for the rest of the summer on their very own tour. – FT
Vans Warped Tour will be taking place across the United States this summer, with the San Diego date taking place at the SDCCU Stadium Lot. Tickets are still available for purchase!