"I Cried When I First Heard About Warped Tour Ending"

As the Vans Warped Tour rolls to a close, we've seen a plethora of bands talk about how sad they are, and what Warped Tour meant to them. But, there's another set of people who'll miss it dearly: the fans.

The unique thing about Warped was how it gave music lovers the opportunity to connect with their favourite artists through intimate meet and greets and workshops.

So, with that in mind, we asked those attending the Holmdel, NJ and Scranton, PA dates how they felt about the festival's demise and the impact it's had on their lives.

Check it out...

Katie (left)

“I’m sad, but this was also the best Warped Tour yet! It’s kind of nostalgic that I’ve been coming here for years and it’s ending. There were a lot of great bands playing that I listened to growing up, which was exciting; I loved seeing Simple Plan. One of the best things about Warped Tour is that you come and discover so many new bands. It also sucks that most of the festivals in New Jersey, with this type of music, are basically over. Bamboozle and Skate And Surf ended... and now this."

Sam (right)

“Oh yeah, it definitely makes me sad! Especially since now that I’ve gotten older, it’s a lot more fun. It’s not fair! It’s so hard to see individual bands throughout the year and it’s so nice to be able to come here and see everyone. Broadside blew me out of the park. I like that smaller bands have more of a chance at Warped, but you’re also able to see the bigger ones, too.”

Bart

“I’ve been coming since 2014! I cried when I first heard about Warped Tour ending. It has a lot of sentimental value to me. A lot of the memories I experienced were quite personal and nothing could compare to them, so I’m pretty bummed. I’m glad that I got to go to it when I was younger.”

Gabby (left)

“It’s really sad because this is my first and my last. I always went to Bamboozle and the same kind of music played here, and it makes me sad that I never really came to Warped. I love this place.”

Katie

“It’s sad to see it end, but I’m really happy that it is, which is also kind of sad - I think they had a good run! A lot of bands got a lot of good exposure that they deserve, a lot of people have learned from this and I love coming and being able to see all of my friends. I think it’s really super-sweet that whole families are coming here. So whether it was the first Warped Tour or the last, it’s so cool to see little babies running around with their parents."

A.J. Khah (Bassist, Sleep On It)

“I’m bummed it’s the last ever Warped Tour! I grew up going to this, I went to '05 Warped Tour, which was the craziest one ever, because I love Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance. My band has played one-off shows and battle of the bands here, so it feels like a part of me is dying with this. On the other hand, it’s such an honour to be a part of the the last one, and for it to be the first Warped Tour that we’re a part of. I just couldn’t ask for a better way to be a part of it, especially being on the last date of the last one - it’s such an honour.”

Words and photos: Abby Clare

Header image: Jordan Mizrahi