Surviving Warped Tour
The ever growing tour, founded by Kevin Lyman, continues to grow each year – by the thousands. Since it’s inception in 1993, the Van’s Warped Tour has found itself becoming the most popular summer festival/tour in existence. More dates, bigger venues, and more bands are just some of the changes that Warped Tour has tackled since the beginning. The fans continue to evolve as well. Young and old, punk or jock, there is something for everyone to see on this tour. With over six stages, and countless booths, how can you not find something to do? Where else will you find bands ranging from the piano driven rock of Waking Ashland to the ever brutal metal of Underoath at one show? Your answer once again is the Vans Warped Tour.
Sounds like loads of fun, huh? Sure can be. But it can also be one hell of a drag if you aren’t prepared. To help prepare for this grueling day, below is a list of what to bring to help make your Warped experience a more enjoyable one.
1.) Patience – You will encounter LONG lines. It starts immediately, usually on the freeway, but if you luck out on the freeway it will begin when you near the parking lot(s). Food lines are the same way, so be patient!
2.) Money – Lots of it. In the dictionary of vendors, the word festival reads as follows: Festival – A chance to punch the public in the face. Ok, so not literally, but it will feel like it at the end of the day when you realize how much cash you’ve spent.
3.) An Open Mind – This may be the most helpful tool all day – especially if this is your first Warped Tour, or even festival. You may see things that you have never seen before and the only way to deal is have an open mind.
4.) Ear Plugs – They aren’t for everyone, but if you get headaches easily, or are one of the few who actually don’t care what people think and like your hearing, then most definitely bring ear plugs.
5.) Disinfectant – Bring some. Just kidding, but really, have some with you. A sweaty man may just rub up against you in the crowded mosh pit.
6.) Sunscreen – It gets pretty hot and if you’re not careful you may end up looking like the giant kool-aid pitcher/man on those disturbing commercials.
7.) Toilet Paper – Serious. Those port-o-potties can get pretty fierce after about an hour. And if you don’t use it, you may be able to sell it for some big bucks, as t.p. can be hard to come by as the day wears on.
8.) Camera – You just never know who you will run into. Bands and members of bands walk around all day so have that camera ready to take a snapshot.
And finally:
9.) An Open Mind – Yes, it has already been mentioned, but when the first thing you see when you enter Warped Tour is a guy wearing a horse on his head, passing out condoms, you will want to have an open mind.
Oh, the possibilities of Warped Tour.
