How Vans Warped Tour Tradition Engages Music's Youth Market
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In partnership with Z2 Comics, the 2025 Vans Warped Tour spotlights comics at performances to engage younger fans who prefer authentic, immersive live shows.
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personal finance
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July 26, 2025
07:35 PM
Forbes
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What's particularly noteworthy is Hollywood & EntertainmentHow Vans Warped Tour Tradition Engages Music's Youth MarketByAndrea Zarczynski, Contributor
On the other hand, Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights
I write news and emerging trends in the music industry AuthorJul 26, 2025, 07:35pm EDTJul 26, 2025, 07:48pm EDTChris Demakes (L) and Roger Manganelli of Less than Jake perform during the Vans Warped tour at Pier (remarkable data)
More 30/32 on June 27, 2009 in San Francisco, California (an important development)
On the other hand, (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)Getty Images After a five-year pause, the Vans Warped Tour is making a nostalgic and novel comeback (noteworthy indeed)
Marking its 30th anniversary this year, the tour kicked off a three-city jaunt June 14-15 in Washington, D
Ed by shows July 26-27 in Long Beach, California, and Nov. 15-16 in Orlando, Florida (this bears monitoring)
Moreover, Returning artists Falling in Reverse, 311, Ice Nine Kills, Simple Plan, Asking Alexandria and Black Veil Brides join new acts Avril Lavigne, Body Count and Better Lovers on stage
An 88-page Official Vans Warped Tour Guide this year features a foreword by Warped founders Kevin Lyman and new interviews with Avril Lavigne, MGK, Simple Plan and All Time Low
The guide also includes "Warped Memories" comics illustrated by Luke McGarry and stories from Warped Tour regulars Mark Hoppus and Hayley Williams
In partnership with Z2 Comics, the nostalgic festival is spotlighting comics at performances to engage younger fans
Humor resonates with newer generations seeking out more authentic, immersive shows built around real-life experiences (which is quite significant)
However, Market analysis shows offers artists new opportunities to design creative gramming beyond the recent rise in virtual concerts, ing engagements, and concerts featuring design installations
Moreover, Z2 Comics President Josh Bernstein says, "Warped Tour was an amazing rite of passage for so many bands and fans over those years, and so bably many people's first concert experience, in this volatile climate
Kevin built 'a little festival that could' back in 1996 with Sublime and others, given the current landscape
And we're talking it 30 years later; it's incredible. " Most Warped Tour attendees this year are first-time festival-goers, illustrating the success of blending tradition with innovation, in this volatile climate
Festival community engagements food and blood drives are growing community engagement and new connections among socially responsible fans
Nevertheless, More than 250,000 complimentary zines were distributed to attendees wanting a lasting memory of the event
Jeffree Star performs during the Vans Warped tour at Pier 30/32 on June 27, 2009 in San Francisco,
More California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)Getty Images MORE FOR YOU Warped Tour tickets sold out for the first two events before bands were announced
Tickets are fairly priced at $149 (an important development). 99 per two-day event compared to most festivals that cost upwards of $600 for general admission weekend access
Moreover, According to Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman, personal interactions between fans and artists are vital to the festival brand's long-term cultural relevance and success
The first show received positive reviews, he says, crediting nostalgia of the tour and its future focus on community and bands
Lyman says that as a fessor at the University of Southern California, he has noticed among his students over the past few years that concepts zines are becoming important again
At the same time, He notices that students burned out from constantly scrolling and using social media enjoy slowing down to read and absorb content on paper, in this volatile climate
Moreover, However, "Those moments and touchpoints zines are becoming important to young people again
They also serve as a foundation for building community," Lyman says
On the other hand, "If you can find that microcommunity to relate with, it's a foundation for rebuilding the things we need as a society to be whole
Moreover, " Black Veil Brides founder and lead vocalist Andy Biersack considers the Warped Tour the most significant event in his life and says, "As a kid, it was my everything and my safe haven
Moreover, As a young teen, it was my dream to be a part of it on stage, and as an adult, it was the single most vital and transformative thing for my career. " Biersack, who considers Warped Tour duction staff and artists his family, also met his wife, fellow musician Lilith Czar, on the Warped Tour
The data indicates that pair serenaded each other from converted truck stages in amphitheater parking lots and spent evenings walking the festival grounds
Moreover, Furthermore, Now future generations are carrying on the tradition in a new style, in today's financial world
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