Should Warped Tour make a comeback?
No.
I came across a recent Reddit post asking the question: Should Warped Tour come back?
It’s a great question, and one I bet would deliver a whole lotta ‘HELL YEAHS’ answers from all of us now older pop punk and elder emo kids out there. I mean, why not? For many of us types, it was the highlight of our summer getting to see a lot of the bands we’d grown to love while, at the same time, getting the opportunity to discover and become fans of so many more artists. But there were so many other reasons why we loved Warped Tour.
The festival was known for its diverse lineups, featuring a wide range of genres including punk rock, alternative rock, metalcore, ska, hip hop, and more. This diversity appealed to fans with varying musical tastes, creating a unique and inclusive atmosphere. It traveled across North America, making it accessible to fans in various cities and regions. This allowed fans from different areas to attend without having to travel long distances to see their favorite bands. It fostered a sense of community among attendees. Fans often formed strong bonds with each other and with the bands, creating a supportive and welcoming environment—it was all about community. The tour provided a platform for up-and-coming bands to gain exposure and reach new audiences. Many fans appreciated the opportunity to discover new music and support emerging artists. For many fans, attending the Warped Tour became a cherished tradition and a source of lasting memories. The energetic performances, intimate meet-and-greets, and sense of camaraderie made the experience unforgettable for many.
But back to the question: Should Warped Tour come back?
My answer?
I’ll start my answer with a question of my own: What would be the point?
I’ve said it once before after Warped Tour officially shuttered in 2019. At the time, I said if it were to come back, it’d probably be best to make it a 4-5 location type of festival. Instead of being a month or so long tour, we’d get different destinations around the U.S. making it possible for everyone to be able to travel to. Heck, I even suggested turning it into a cruise instead. But since then, we’ve already received a huge new festival of the same type that goes on for multiple weekends AND a cruise called the Emo’s Not Dead Cruise that caters to all of the emos out there. The only thing missing is that the Warped Tour name is not attached to either one of those events.
Whether we want it to or not, if Warped Tour came back, it wouldn’t be the same as we’d want it to be. It wouldn’t be able to capture the nostalgia for all of us who crave it and were once able to experience it. Besides, that nostalgia-festival thing? As I mentioned above. It’s already a thing—looking at you When We Were Young Fest.
Although When We Were Young Fest isn’t a touring festival, we already have one that came to fruition once Warped Tour announced its exit and, at the time, seemed to essentially fill the void of the long-running tour for a lot of us. That tour is Sad Summer which has arguably done a great job over the last five years and has arguably become the most popular touring festival when it comes to pop punk and emo. It may not be as big as Warped Tour once was, but it sure is making fans happy, giving them what they want, and promoting the same type of artists while capturing that same vibe. But that’s not all our scene has. There are other pop punk and emo festivals like Is This For Lovers, Slam Dunk Festival, Four Chord Music, Riot Fest, Best Friends Fest, etc. And then let’s not forget the Emo Nite’s happening throughout the year. The list really does go on and on.
It’s been well documented that the logistics of Warped Tour were difficult. It was hard for the tour to make money. When we had Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman on the podcast a few years back (a podcast episode you should definitely listen to), I remember him saying they considered themselves lucky if the tour ever broke even financially. Lyman and company did it for the sheer love of the genres they promoted and the community in provided. According to Lyman, the community aspect of the tour dwindled over time which ultimately led to the decision for him to call it quits.
Of course, the idea of Warped Tour coming back is a pleasing thought. It’d, of course, be welcomed by literally every single pop punk and emo kid (old and new) out there.
The Warped Tour was more than just a music festival; it was a cultural phenomenon that celebrated the power of music, community, and discovery. Though the tour may have come to an end, its legacy lives on in the hearts of fans who will forever cherish the memories and experiences they shared over those summer months. But maybe that’s where Warped Tour should stay: in our memories.
I’m not saying there isn’t a place for Warped Tour today, but it had its run and its founder has seemed to move on to the next big thing anyway. That thing is a new traveling festival called Summer School. And because Lyman is involved with it, this one looks to be the real replacement for Warped Tour. It’s happening this summer and focuses on new acts, inclusivity, and diversity — much like Warped Tour was all about.
Warped Tour was fun, and I (like a lot of you) had a blast attending them in the past, but if you ask me if Warped Tour should make a comeback…?
I’m not saying it shouldn’t come back. But if it’s going to join the already newer and now-established festivals, then I don’t see the need for it. I mean, how many more pop-punk and emo festivals do we need at one time? With the continually rising costs of concert tickets, wouldn’t that cause all of the festivals to eventually start competing with one another for our money? We can’t all afford to attend all of these festivals, can we? Is that what the scene needs? Would it be good? Would it be bad? Could such a summer exist with multiple pop punk and emo concerts going on all at the same time? I know this probably sounds amazing to some, but to me, I feel like it would come at a cost—whatever that may be—and could wind up oversaturating this niche tour market.
So with that said, again, should Warped Tour make a comeback?
When put into those certain terms, I have to say it’s a ‘no’ from me.
Let me know what you think in the comments, and don’t forget to answer the poll!