The Camera Affect’s Top 13 Bands you MUST see at Vans Warped Tour 2019 | THIS WEEKEND in Atlantic City, NJ – July 20+21st in Mountain View, CA

Well, here’s the year that any pop-punk kid has been dreading for the last 25 years- the very end of Vans Warped Tour. For a quarter of a century VWT has been a haven and a ‘punk rock summer camp’ for “outcasts,” “misfits” and those who were seen as “too different.” From sky rocketing the careers of bands like All Time Low and Neck Deep to giving back to the community in the form of blood drives and canned goods collections, VWT has been a quintessential part of life not only for the bands and the behind the scenes crew but for the fans as well.

With VWT kicking off their anniversary events in Cleveland, Ohio at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a sold out and super successful start to the summer, the following stops span over two weekends, June 29th and 30th in Atlantic City, New Jersey and July 20th and 21st in Mountain View, California. With all of our Warped-Tourian knowledge and our inner scene teens sobbing over the end of era, we’ve created a list of the top 13 bands you must see this summer.

1. Dance Gavin Dance

Hailing from Sacramento, California rock band Dance Gavin Dance never fail to put on a killer show. First appearing in 2009 and doing four runs on the tour the group have performed their hits such as “We Own the Night” off their 2015 album Instant Gratification and “Betrayed By the Game” off 2016s Mothership. With the release of Artificial Selection just last year, one of their best albums in my opinion, you definitely won’t want to miss “Suspended In This Disaster” or “The Rattler” live (really crossing my fingers that they play them.)

Inspire The Liars- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-aQrBZ4Duw

2. August Burns Red

Pennsylvania metal-core band August Burns Red has been delivering hit after hit since the bands creation in 2003. Completing 7 summers on the Vans Warped Tour the band have given us consistent powerful vocals, spine tingling guitar riffs and have expressed nothing but gratitude and love towards their fans. With the band hitting the stage for one final VWT show fans are hoping for a mix of hits such as 2011s “Carpe Diem,” 2015s “Separating the Seas” and 2017s “King of Sorrow.”

The Frost- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKlP2rKtAGQ

3.  Good Charlotte

Maryland based rock band Good Charlotte, formed in 1995 by brothers Joel and Benji Madden, has been giving us all of our rock medicine for years on end. With hits like “The Anthem” and “Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous” both off the 2002 album The Young and the Hopeless we’re definitely in for a treat and with tracks pulled from the 2018 record Generation Rx fans will most certainly get the perfect mix of old and new.

Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-jC3H_8Dk4

4. Less Than Jake

Starting in 1997 the Floridian ska-punk band has played VWT a mind blowing 13 times. Getting to experience tracks such as “The Rest of My Life” and “Sunstroke” from a band that helped create and shape Warped Tours’ legacy is definitely something that everyone should take advantage of. Even if you can’t stay for their full set, and trust me you’ll be disappointed if you don’t, make sure to drop by and catch at least one song from the energetic and crowd thrilling band.

The Science of Selling Yourself Short- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krXG307d4k8

5. Memphis May Fire

Playing Vans Warped Tour for their fifth time, Texas metalcore band Memphis May Fire are coming to light up the stage once again. Memphis May Fire always delivers and never fails to have a wave of crowd surfers and mosh pits rocking out to hits such as “Sleepless Nights” and “The Enemy.” If you’ve never moshed before, I highly suggest taking the gloves off and experiencing your first mosh pit to a Memphis May Fire song.

Heavy Is the Weight- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUfkqYWxLjk

6. Set It Off

Florida pop-punk band Set It Off is a fairly new band to the scene but their fan base has been growing rapidly since their debut at VWT in 2013. The band signed to Fearless Records in 2018 and released their fourth album Midnight in February of this year. Fans can most likely expect a range of tracks from over the years (really hoping “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” makes it onto the setlist) but regardless of which songs they play, a Set It Off performance is something you don’t want to miss.

Why Worry- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sesKiKYQn84

7. Silverstein

Rock band Silverstein, hailing from Ontario has played VWT 10 times, starting back in 2004. With a mix of rock, post-hardcore, metal core and indie-rock vibes the versatile band is one that absolutely is a can’t miss. Whether it be their heavier songs like “Live To Kill” off of the 2011 album Rescue or the more pop-punk sounding “The Afterglow” off of 2017s Dead Reflection there’s no denying that Silverstein, while continuing to bring in the sounds of their roots, is one of the most adaptable and ever changing bands in the scene.

Ghost- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqDR4TW2vfs

8. Sleeping With Sirens

Alternative rock band Sleeping With Sirens from Florida emerged on the scene in 2009, playing their first Warped Tour in 2012 and going on to play another 5 years after that. With five incredibly successful albums and a sixth one in the making Sleeping With Sirens has no shortage of hits ranging from “If I’m James Dean, You’re Audrey Hepburn” and “If You Can’t Hang” to “We Like It Loud” and “Empire to Ashes.” If you’re in the mood for an engaged and incredibly hyped up crowd singing back the lyrics to an equally hyped up band, Sleeping With Sirens is a band you’re not going to want to miss.

If You Can’t Hang- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UwWYtLWEZg

9. The Used

If there’s a band that radiates scene energy the most, it’s definitely Utah’s own The Used. Having played VWT 8 times, the first being in 2002 the band has become one that everyone knows at least one song to, even if you don’t know the name of the band. The post-hardcore/alternative rock band has enticed fans with tracks like “Pretty Handsome Awkward” and “Rise Up Lights,” and the mix of old school and new school that this band is going to bring to the stage is going to result in a show for the books.

All That I’ve Got- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgB_JwcuPg0

10. Sum 41

Another Ontario band that’s played VWT 10 times is Sum 41, the first time being in 2000. With six albums previously released holding two of their most popular songs “In Too Deep” and “Fat Lip,” the band is set to drop their seventh album Order in Decline on July 19, just one day before they’re set to play Warped Tour. The release of the new album is bound to get fans hyped up and eager to learn the words to the newest songs so they can belt them out along with the guys giving it their all on stage.

In Too Deep- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emGri7i8Y2Y

11. Yungblud

England’s Dominic Harrison, known to his fans as Yungblud is set to make 2019 his second consecutive year on the VWT. The energy he exudes on stage and the sheer poetry of his lyrics makes it hard not to love Yungblud and want to listen to his songs on repeat. His debut album 21st Century Liability which was dropped last year features tracks such as “Medication,” “Psychotic Kids” and “Polygraph Eyes” and recently he released a successful collaboration with artists Halsey and Travis Barker titled “11 Minutes.” If there’s one artist you want to keep your eye on, it’s Yungblud.

Medication- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM1shsSRqB8

12. We The Kings

This pop-punk Floridan band has done nothing but continue to grow their fanbase from their debut in 2005 to their first VWT in 2008 up to now. With eight Warped Tour summers under their belt the band has had no shortage of catchy hits going back from “Check Yes Juliet” on their self-titled album released in 2007 to 2013s “I Feel Alive.” We The Kings never fails to put on a fantastic show and you can genuinely see and feel the love that they have for their music and their fans.

Check Yes, Juliet- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CUyWJ7UINM

13. Simple Plan

Rounding out our list is Montreal originated pop-punk powerhouses Simple Plan. Playing VWT first in 1999 and going on to take on to dedicate an additional 12 summers. Bangers like “Addicted” and “I’m Just a Kid” were, and still are, staples in every scene kids music rolodex. The vibes, riffs and vocals that Simple Plan gives off for every performance are insane and time and time again they remain incredibly humble and thankful for their fans. There’s no doubt in my mind that Simple Plan was one of the best choices to add to the end of an era and if you miss Simple Plan’s set, you’re missing out entirely.

Addicted- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvpNa5O-0-8

Article courtesy of Linette Ray

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