The sun is blazing, the crowd is packed, and the heads are bobbing to familiar guitar riffs blasting from the speakers. Welcome to Vans Warped Tour 2005.
With its 15th year in action, Warped Tour is a tradition unlike any other. Every summer, over 50 alternative, hardcore, punk, and emo bands come together and tour all across the nation from New York to California, putting on an all-day concert for their many fans.


From June to August, people will be commuting to see their favorite bands. With ticket prices at $35, fans flock to the nearest location to experience a taste of what Warped Tour has to offer.
This summer, the three nearest locations are Friday, July 1st at Cal State Long Beach, Wednesday, July 6 at Fairplex Park in Pomona, and Sunday July 3rd at Seaside Park in Ventura.
“It is amazing. Right when I am done seeing one of my favorite bands, I go to another stage and my other favorite band is playing. It’s just non-stop great music,” said Kelsea Mauerhaun (’06).
Vans Shoes, which started the tour back in 1990, wanted to provide their consumers with a concert they could relate to and enjoy. So, they decided to gather all the known rock bands and put on an unforgettable rock show. What started as a small concert in California has expanded into a nation-wide summer tradition.
“It is definitely an awesome experience because you get to see all the bands at once, instead of going to separate shows for each band,” said Joshua Carson (’06), who has attended several Warped Tours in past summers.
This year, Warped Tour is bigger and better than ever before. The amount of bands performing has grown to a record number, with bands ranging from Fall Out Boy to Hawthorne Heights to UnderOath. The wide variety of bands allows fans to enjoy a full day of all their favorite bands at once.
Warped Tour is also a chance for unknown bands to get a start in the music business. It is a chance for bands that are starting out with their career to create a fan base and have their name and talent noticed by well-established record companies.
“Every year it just seems to get better and better,” said Warped Tour fan Adan Nuno of Eastlake High School. “I [do not] know what, but it just feels like it is going to be the best of the best Warped Tour.”

By Staff Writer Teresa Gonzalez