Amanda Crocker
Dr. Matt Paproth
Eng 1102 4-5PM
February 18, 2008
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WARPED
TOUR
Every year, parking lots across the world get turned into
utopian paradises for skaters and music lovers alike for one day.
Turning fourteen years young this summer, Vans Warped Tour has
accomplished exponential global fame across America, Europe,
Canada, Australia, and Japan. Originating in the US, Warped went
officially international in 1998. Known only as Warped Tour
(inspired by Warp Magazine) for the first year of existence, Vans
assumed major sponsorship soon after.
Along with as many as 100 punk, ska, emo, pop punk, and
general rock favorites each show, Warped also provides with
extreme sports attractions for the skating or biking enthusiasts. In
addition to the musical and extreme shows, a designated area
provides Warped-goers with vast stretches of tents ranging from
band tents to general Vans merchandise tents to tents for specific
causes and charities.
In the past, Warped has been proven to benefit artists of all
popularities. It can serve as a kick-off for local or unknown acts,
providing local music aficionados with stages that specifically
present local talent. It also showcases classics and big-timers like
The Offspring and Coheed & Cambria. Most Warped-goers can be
found at the main stage for the duration of the day, often featuring
the more popular acts. Specifically at HiFi Buys Amphitheater in
Atlanta, many of the lesser-known acts can be found at the actual
Amphitheater stage, as opposed to the main stages in the far off
corners of the parking lot. Most of the concertgoers you find here
are more so attracted by the shade, rather the less than popular
bands that may be playing there. However, it is a good place to
discover a new musical love and take a seat for the first time in
hours.
Another way of musical discovery is through purchasing their
compilation CDs Warped puts out each year. Though lately I have
found the CDs to be less than satisfactory, considering I have found
repeated songs when comparing last year’s compilation to that of
the year before last.
Each year, Vans Warped Tour chooses a specific theme to play
upon throughout the international tour. As the “Lucky 13”th tour,
the theme for 2007 was naturally old school tattoos. Themes
provide for the official t-shirt designs for that year.
Depending on their level of popularity, bands can play
anywhere from 10-minute sets to 30-minute sets. The bands are
normally categorized and assigned one of the (more or less) ten
stages. A huge inflatable schedule is located in the middle of the lot
providing guests with what they need to make a mental or Sharpiedarm itinerary for the day. Though planning tries to prevent such
occurrences, fans are often forced to choose between bands that
may be playing at the same time on different stages.
Concertgoers from across the state, and often from bordering
states as well, are forced to wake up at early hours of the morning
to arrive at the venue. Stretching across the makeshift parking lots
near the taken-over parking lot, lines of them often sport turneddown tailgates and Frisbee-playing to pass the time.
Lasting from 11AM to 9PM, the day of Vans Warped Tour
definitely requires a certain level of hardcoreness. Between the
seven straight hours of sun exposure and the development of
multiple bruises, varying in seriousness, it is not a day to plan a cute
outfit, though skimpiness is often preferred due to the ridiculous
summer heat. Warped however does offer the luxury of a large
rocker-shaped slip-and-slide, complete with facial piercings and
liberty spikes.
The best advise for Warped-goers would definitely include the
packing of sunscreen, money for parking, and mental preparation for
unexpected circle pits, flying bottles, and condom balloons. Be
prepared for overly priced drinks and food items. Alcoholic
beverages are available to those of age and $4 Powerades and
bottled waters are available to all. Though they take advantage of
the unbelievably dehydrated concertgoers with their outlandish
prices, many vendors are kind enough to supply customers with
mists from squirt bottles or water guns. (Seasoned veterans of
Warped in Atlanta know where the water spicket is located to refill
bottles.)
Actual shoes are an important necessity as well. Flip-flops will
get lost and toes will get stepped on, unless you prefer to sit on the
sidelines. In that case you are probably better off saving your
$27.50 + convenience charges. Flip-flops also result in black feet by
the end of the day, due to the incredible amounts of dirt they will
encounter. Chucks are normally the shoe of choice for most
Warped-goers, while some opt to show their support for Vans by
wearing their skate shoes.
Warped is a great opportunity for fans to meet their favorite
musical artists or bands, whether it be through going to designated
signings scheduled throughout the day or creepily lingering around
certain tour buses. Often times, the latter is much more beneficial,
yet at the same time more risky. Signings often call for hour-early
arrivals to tents as well as insane wait times in line.
If free swag is your thing, you will score at Vans Warped Tour.
In past years, I have found myself sporting multiple bags of
(sometimes autographed) posters, pins, CDs and stickers. That is,
until I go see an act at the main stage and find only the plastic
handle left around my wrist at the end of the show. Less fortunate
friends of mine are often jealous of the things I score. My MySpace
shoelaces are the most sought-after accolade.
Though it may not be completely encouraged, the ultimate in
thrill seeking may be found through the ever-popular activity of
crowd surfing. With medics standing by, Warped provides the
perfect opportunity to pursue your aspirations to do so. Assuming
you are able-bodied and are physically comparable or smaller than
the general group of people that surround you, surfing the crowd
could be what makes your Warped experience complete. Beware of
circle pits and congregations of screaming pre-teen girls, however.
You will get dropped and/or hurt in these situations, guaranteed.
After thinking it was a good idea to crowd surf at the Red Jumpsuit
Apparatus show, it was not until after I fell on my head and noticed
the young girls around me, that I decided it was not the most
appropriate show for such activities. A more rewarding experience
was found at the Chiodos show, surprisingly enough. After your
thirty seconds of hardcoreness (and you were officially taken
advantage of by those below you) comes to an end, the gentle
bouncers at the base of the stage hoist you down to the ground and
send you on your merry way.
Vans Warped Tour will take Atlanta by storm July 9th 2008, just
as it has every summer in its past, in the HiFi Buys Amphitheater
parking lot. Though last year featured a more persuaded line-up of
noticeably pop-punk influenced artists, this year, word on the street
says you will be able to find acts that range from Norma Jean to Gym
Class Heroes.
After attending every Atlanta Warped since my parents first
allowed me to go (2005, to be exact), Warped can be described as a
very unique concert-going experience. If the type of music appeals
to you, it is a great deal to get so many shows for the price of a
moderately popular average concert ticket. As long as you don’t
mind a little sun exposure, huge masses of people, and vulgarity,
Warped can easily prove to be the event of the summer.