Vans Warped Tour Waves Its Final Goodbye With 25th Anniversary Shows: Saturday Performances in Mountain View, CA
The grounds at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA were packed as thousands of fans poured in from across the country to celebrate 25 years of the iconic Vans Warped Tour.
Known as the largest and longest running traveling music festival in the United States, the tour has been a haven for pop-punk, rock, and hardcore fans alike since its formation back in 1995. And with everything from skate ramps and wrestling, to countless classic circle pits, the Vans Warped Tour has brought joy to many a hot summer day.
So, while saying goodbye to such an integral piece of punk-rock history was tough for many fans, the SoundBite Magazine team was honored to take part in celebrating 25 years of great music and capture memories that will last a lifetime.
Please enjoy our photos and review of Day 1 of the Vans Warped Tour 25th Anniversary
PLAGUE VENDOR
Based out of Whittier, California, punk-rock quartet, Plague Vendor was the first act to take the stage at the last ever Vans Warped Tour event.
Quickly winning over the audience at the Monster Energy Stage, the group seemed to burst into action, performing tracks off their 2019 record, By Night. The punchy choruses and rebellious ferocity of songs such as “New Comedown” and “Snakeskin Boots” were instant hits with the audience, and it was clear that Plague Vendor earned many new fans dancing around in the California sun.
With a wild, yet captivating performance, the band made a point to engage with the packed crowd. For as lead vocalist Brandon Blaine put it, the goal was not only to perform great music, but “get to know each other a little better”.
And between crowd surfing, serving as conductor of a raging circle pit, and break dancing with kids in the audience, Blaine along with drummer Luke Perine, bassist Michael Perez, and guitarist Jay Rogers, certainly did just that.
For additional updates, info, and more, check out Plague Vendor’s official website and follow them on social media here.
I THE MIGHTY
Next up were San Francisco locals, I The Mighty.
Consisting of Brent Walsh (vocals/guitar), Ian Pedigo (guitar), Chris Hinkley (bass), and Blake Dahlinger (drums), these progressive rockers were one of SoundBite Magazine’s “must-see artists” at Warped Tour. And for good reason.
Mixing genres of alternative rock and post-hardcore, each of the band’s four records contain a slightly different flavor, a unique attribute that makes for an exciting setlist.
And whether it be 2013’s “Speak to Me”, or 2017’s “Silver Tongues”, the crowd couldn’t seem to get enough.
For additional updates, info, and more, check out I The Mighty’s official website and follow them on social media here.
SET IT OFF
Also taking over the Monster Energy Stage for more Day 1 festivities was Los Angeles trio, Set It Off.
Known for infusing elements of punk and alternative rock into edgy pop tracks, front man Cody Carson, guitarist Zach DeWall, and drummer Maxx Danziger, had the crowd jumping and dancing around from the very start.
One of the more interactive sets of the day, fans could be seen waving their arms as Carson ran from side to side across the stage pointing his mic at the audience.
With a smile and a spring in their step as fans shouted back lines from popular singles such as “Why Worry” and “Killer In The Mirror”, both the band and the crowd appeared to be having the time of their lives.
For additional updates, info, and more, check out Set It Off’s official website and follow them on social media here.
ONE OK ROCK
Traveling all the way from Tokyo, Japan, pop-rock quartet One Ok Rock (stylized ONE OK ROCK) lit up the Full Sail Stage with another exciting set on Day 1 of the Warped Tour Anniversary performances.
Graduating from house shows to arena tours in their home country, Japanese sensations, Taka Moriuchi (vocals), Toru Yamashita (guitar), Ryota Kohama (bass), and Tomoya Kanki (drums), received a warm welcome from masses of excited attendees, a testament to a well-deserved and ever-growing global fanbase.
And with Moriuchi’s vibrant energy jumping on and off raised platforms and Kohama whipping his hair back and forth as the band worked their way through favorites such as “Push Back” and “We Are”, the members of One Ok Rock seem to be well on their way in cementing themselves as worldwide powerhouses.
For additional updates, info, and more, check out One Ok Rock’s official website and follow them on social media here.
SET YOUR GOALS
Bay area favorites, Set Your Goals, were next on SoundBite Magazine’s festival radar.
Formed in 2004, and bursting into the world of pop-punk and post-hardcore with the release of their 2005 debut self-titled EP, Set Your Goals is a group many fans recognize from their popular touring schedule, hitting the road with bands such as Comeback Kid, Less Than Jake, Four Years Strong, and You Me At Six.
Now, with a strong following of their own and three albums under their belt, the band made an appearance at both the Atlantic City and Mountain View dates of the Warped Tour 25th Anniversary. And with smiles all around the Shoreline Amphitheatre, California fans were happy to welcome a familiar face back home.
For additional updates, info, and more, check out Set Your Goals on Facebook and follow them on additional social media platforms here.
GOLDFINGER
Having explored local, international, and artists-on-the-rise, it was time for us to take a trip down memory lane.
With roots tracing all the way back to their formation in 1994, Los Angeles trio, Goldfinger are one of ska and punk-rock’s most beloved stars.
Yet, as they tore up to the Vans Off The Wall Stage with spunky riffs and leaping guitar dance moves, it was clear that six records, a certified-gold album, and over a decade of touring had only made the band more hungry to add to their substantial legacy.
So if you saw any of these ska stars flying through the air or into the audience, Goldfinger certainly made their point; this wasn’t their first rodeo, but it certainly wasn’t their last.
For additional updates, info, and more, check out Goldfinger’s official website and follow them on social media here.
WAGE WAR
Once again back to the Monster Energy Stage, we enjoyed a powerful performance by Ocala, Florida-based metalcore quintet, Wage War.
Originally known under the band name, Empires, Wage War signed to Fearless Records in 2015, and quickly made a name for themselves with tracks such as “Alive” and “The River” (off their debut album, Blueprints) producing a collective total of over 20 million spotify streams.
And with a third studio album (titled, Pressure) set for release on August 30, Warped Tour fans seemed even more excited to watch Briton Bond (vocals), Cody Quistad (guitar/vocals), Seth Blake (guitar), Chris Gaylord (bass), and Stephen Kluesener (drums) tear up the stage, and search for hints of the band’s next musical evolution.
For additional updates, info, and more, check out Wage War’s official website and follow them on social media here.
AUGUST BURNS RED
Wrapping up SoundBite Magazine’s coverage of Day 1 was a ferocious set by Pennsylvania natives, August Burns Red.
Consisting of Jake Luhrs (vocals), Dustin Davidson (bass), Matt Greiner (drums), JB Brubaker (guitar), and Brent Rambler (guitar), the energy produced by this dynamic quintet can draw in a formidable crowd. And clearly, when it comes to heavy metalcore bands, this Grammy-nominated group is often a popular fan favorite.
So, whether it was Brubaker shredding guitar riffs in flip-flops or Luhrs swinging his microphone and cord like a cowboy in the old-west, August Burns Red definitely left us pumped and ready for Day 2 of the Vans Warped Tour 25th Anniversary.
For additional updates, info, and more, check out August Burns Red’s official website and follow them on social media here
Coverage by Jessica Nakamoto
Images may not be used, modified, or cropped without permission from Jessica Nakamoto or SoundBite Magazine. Please contact Jessica Nakamoto or SoundBite Magazine for use of photography.
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