46 musicians share their favorite Warped Tour lineup of all time
Ever since 1995, the Vans Warped Tour has been an extremely iconic U.S. tour, responsible for summer reunions amongst large bands, networking opportunities for up-and-coming bands and “the first big break” for small bands whose success stemmed from this traveling rock festival. With an ever-changing lineup each year, every Warped Tour experience is musically different, but still carries those “punk rock summer camp” qualities everyone loves.
Now get ready to take a trip down memory lane yourselves as your favorite musicians reveal their favorite Warped lineups. (And take a look at the year that was clearly the most popular.)
Read more: QUIZ: Who will be your new fave band at Warped Tour?
1995
Saves The Day, Arun Bali
I have to go with that very first lineup. Seriously, seeing those bands in 1995? Are you fucking kidding me? That post-hardcore era was a massive influence for a lot of bands that are around today, including Saves The Day.
1997
Vinnie Fiorello, Less Than Jake
1997. Descendents, Bosstones, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, Bouncing Souls, Face To Face, MxPx, Offspring and Pennywise!
1998
Jake Kiley, Strung Out
The ‘98 lineup was excellent.
1999
Ryan Locke, Seaway
Warped '99. Blink, Eminem, Lit, Gob, Jimmy Eat World. What are you, silly? Is there any other answer?
Watsky
The original 1995 lineup with No Doubt and Sublime is up there, but I think I’d have to say 1999—Eminem, Ice-T, Blink-182, classic Black Eyed Peas. That was a good year for hip-hop at Warped.
2002
Matty Arsenault, A Loss For Words
I remember it was the year when Drive-Thru Record had a stage [2002]. I think I left once to see Thursday and that was it! Think I did all my school shopping there as well! Haha.
2003
Tino Arteaga, Of Mice & Men
I moshed so hard at Warped Tour 2003! Rancid, Pennywise, Thrice, Glassjaw, Poison The Well, the Used, Avenged Sevenfold, From Autumn To Ashes, Coheed And Cambria…it was an epic year!
Cole Crutchfield, Knocked Loose
My favorite lineup from Warped Tour history is probably 2003 when Avenged Sevenfold played. I didn't go, obviously, because I was 6 years old at the time, but seeing videos from their set where they're playing songs solely off their first two records is awesome. Wish I could've been there.
2004
Kellin Quinn, Sleeping With Sirens
The year I went in 2004. The Used, Underoath, From First To Last, Boys Night Out, Coheed And Cambria—just to name a few.
Nick Martin, Sleeping With Sirens
2004 was the best lineup. My Chemical Romance, Underoath, Alkaline Trio, Sugarcult, NOFX, the Used, Taking Back Sunday, Avenged Sevenfold, the Bled—the list goes on and it fucking ruled.
David Alexander, Carousel Kings
Favorite lineup would be the Warped I saw with My Chemical Romance. It was really cool to see those guys blow up after that.
2005
Levi Benton, Miss May I
It would have to be the one I went as a kid—2005. Fall Out Boy, Hawthorne Heights, Avenged Sevenfold, My Chemical Romance and Senses Fail.
Devin Oliver, I See Stars
2005 was incredible! Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, Saosin, Circa Survive, Motion City Soundtrack, Mae, the Offspring!
Travis Richter, From First To Last
2005—Underoath, MCR, FOB—that was my fave year. 🙂
Devin Oliver, I See Stars
2005 was incredible! Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, Saosin, Circa Survive, Motion City Soundtrack, Mae, the Offspring!
Buddy Nielsen, Senses Fail
2005
Read more: Who will be your new favorite band at Warped Tour?
Tyler Dennen, Sworn In
Hmm, honestly, I’d have to say 2005. For starters it had my two favorite bands of all time, My Chemical Romance and Thrice, not to mention All-American Rejects, Avenged Sevenfold, Fall Out Boy and Underoath. So sick.
Alex Garcia, Mayday Parade
I've heard the 2005 Warped was pretty great! Unfortunately, I didn't go to it, but I wish I could have.
Dan Clermont, Set It Off
Warped 2005 would be my favorite lineup for sure! There was a lot of bands on there who defined the genres that we all play today, or are still currently active and setting the standard of how far you can go playing music with some of your best friends. From Fall Out Boy to the Academy Is… you had it all.
2006
Ash Costello, New Years Day
Favorite lineup is Warped Tour 2006 and 2007. My Chemical Romance?! Taking Back Sunday?! The Used?! Circa Survive?! Motion City Soundtrack?! Paramore?! I mean, come on, need I say more?
2007
Brendan Murphy, Counterparts
2007 for sure.
Chrissy Costanza, Against The Current
2007 – duh.
2008
Luke Rockets, With Confidence
If I could relive history I would have loved to have been at the 2008 tour when Katy Perry, Angels And Airwaves, Against Me! and Motion City Soundtrack were out.
tiLLie
2008, baby! Katy Perry, Cobra Starship, Gym Class Heroes, the Academy Is…
Travis Clark, We The Kings
2008 HANDS DOWN!!! So many friends were on that tour from so many genres of music. Besides We The Kings obviously, there was: Bring Me The Horizon, Paramore, A Day To Remember ,All Time Low, Against Me!, All-American Rejects, 3OH!3, Jack's Mannequin, Angels And Airwaves, Mayday Parade, Cobra Starship, The Devil Wears Prada, Gym Class Heroes, Pierce The Veil, Katy Perry, Relient K, Rise Against, Story Of The Year
Telle Smith, The Word Alive
I would have to say 2008 and 2010 were both pretty amazing. I say those not just because I was on the tour but because bands like Bring Me The Horizon, A Day To Remember, Pierce The Veil and Parkway Drive were all starting to connect and you could tell they would do really well in the future. There was also Katy Perry on in 2008 and everybody on the tour was watching her pretty much daily.
2009
Jayden Panesso, Sylar
I think my favorite line up has to be Warped Tour 2009. I specifically attended for Underoath, the Devil Wears Prada, Bad Religion, Alexisonfire, Chiodos, A Day To Remember and Bayside.
2010
Eric Vanlerberghe, I Prevail
Of all the years I went, I think 2010 had my favorite lineup. Getting to see Set Your Goals, Whitechapel, Pierce The Veil, Suicide Silence, Emmure and Four Year Strong all in the same day was incredible.
