The 90-degree heat didn’t stop the crowds from flooding into the Xfinity Center for one last day at Warped. Days before the event, tickets for the Mansfield date completely sold out. Perhaps it was the stacked lineup, the perfect weather, or the fact that it was the final Massachusetts Warped Tour. Nonetheless, fans came through to enjoy the “Emo Coachella” one last time.
Last year’s lineup was pretty “heavy”; however, this years lineup boasts a solid mix of pop punk, metal, and alternative groups. The Journey’s Left and Right Foot stages are home to mostly pop punk and “lighter” acts. The Maine opened up Warped on the Right Foot Stage to a big crowd, despite the early set time. Other groups to grace the Right Foot Stage were Warped OG’s We The Kings, as well as Australian rock group Tonight Alive, and Massachusetts natives Four Year Strong.
Journeys Left Foot boasted an equally stacked lineup. State Champs opened the stage after a short speech from Hope For The Day, an organization doing leaps in the scene for mental health awareness. Other groups to take the Left Foot stage included Issues and 3OH!3, who had the entire venue singing along to “My First Kiss,” and “Don’t Trust Me.” Closing out the night on the Left Foot Stage with a massive crowd was Mayday Parade, a name that always comes to mind when thinking of Warped Tour.
The Monster Mutant stages are home to the heavier acts on Warped this year. The Red Dawn stage was the place to be for a good part of the day. Ice Nine Kills played their hometown Warped set to a huge crowd, followed by Sharptooth. Badass frontwoman Lauren Kashan demanded everyone’s attention as she shared her story and played an intense set. Wage War, Amity Affliction, and Chelsea Grin got the crowds going wild and had pits sprawling across both Monster stages.
The White Lightning stage started with a bang as In Hearts Wake shook the crowd and engaged fans from the start. Vocalist Jake Taylor surfed over the crowd in a raft to “capture the flag.” Every Time I Die grasped everyone’s attention with their chaotically perfect stage presence. Other notable names to grace the White Lightning stage included Silverstein and Senses Fail, both bands who have greatly influenced what the alternative scene is today.
Although the Owly.fm Stage is considered one of the “smaller” stages on Warped, it was certainly not lacking in talent. All day rising artists like Chase Atlantic, Broadside, and Doll Skin drew huge crowds and put on killer performances. Two of the most notable performances of the day came from Yung Blud and Don Broco. Both bands are incredibly unique and quickly gaining traction. Their energy was contagious and really captured what Warped Tour is all about.
The Vans Warped Tour has become home to so many memories for the attendees, as well as a place to connect with artists and other fans. While it’s bittersweet that it quickly came to an end, this last year will definitely be remembered by everyone who attended and we look forward to what’s next for the creators and artists. Here’s to being ‘Forever Warped’!
Journey’s Right Foot Stage
Journey’s Left Foot Stage
Monster Red Dawn Stage
Monster White Lightning Stage
Owly.fm Stage
