Music filled the air at Long Beach’s Shoreline Waterfront as the Vans Warped Tour returned on July 26 and 27. After a six-year break, the 30th anniversary show attracted huge crowds of fans from all three decades of the festival.
“People are craving connection, live music, and the raw experience that Warped has always offered,” said founder Kevin Lyman. True to tradition, the set times were kept secret until the day of the event. Early attendees watched as staff revealed the lineup on a red-and-yellow board.
Skating legend Tony Hawk joined Goldfinger on stage to perform “Superman,” a hit from his 1999 video game. Classic bands like Less Than Jake, Pennywise, and Sublime rocked the crowd, with Jakob Nowell stepping in to honor his late father, Bradley.
“If you look around, we’re all outcasts. But we came together to listen to music,” said JT Woodruff, the singer of Hawthorne Heights. Between sets, fans enjoyed watching skaters perform tricks and BMX riders soar through the air. A makeshift museum showcased photos and memorabilia from past tours.
The crowd was a mix of first-timers and longtime fans. Parents pushed strollers past teens in the pit, while little ones wore noise-blocking headphones. The Vans Warped Tour started in 1995 and has grown into the largest traveling music festival in North America. What began as an alt-rock event has evolved to include metal, hip hop, reggae, and pop over its 25 years on the road.
