Vans Warped Tour 2018
AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
July 7, 2018
Review & Photography by Michael Mullenix
Well, it’s finally here, the last run on this counter-cultural tradition, the Final run of The Vans Warped Tour. Though the future plans from Kevin Lymen’s flagship festival seem murky, effectively this year marks the last time that it will ride through the country in its current capacity. Last Saturday, July 7th, was the last time the tour would be held at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Tx, and we leaped at the chance to capture as many photographs from over 45 bands during the festival!
It’s interesting to see how the tour has faired in over 30 years culminating in its ultimate conclusion. The results are seemingly less about a glorious send-off as they are about one last chance to highlight some well-deserving bands that truly need the spotlight. On the main stage, for example, few seasoned veterans returned like The Used, Bowling For Soup, and Reel Big Fish. Instead, this left room for younger bands like Knuckle Puck, Movements, and This Wild Life to get the Prime Time Elevation only this tour can offer. On the “Mutant Soda” stages, typically reserved for somewhat heavier offerings, the roster felt right in line with year’s past, pairing newcomers such as Nekrogoblicon and Sharptooth with road warriors Every Time I Die, The Amity Affliction, and Chelsea Grin. Strangely enough, these stages also hosted Emo/Post-Hardcore mainstays Senses Fail, as well as Metalcore Titans Unearth in the ranks. Also, this year included the appearance of the Juggalo Rap Duo, Twiztid, a bold choice considering an audience that was unlikely to receive them well. Finally, two other side stages hosted an interesting plethora of ripe young talents such as pop-punk groups Assuming We Survive and Gold Steps, as well as more bold Rock Maestros such as Tatiana Demaria, Makeout, and Chase Atlantic.
As I implied earlier, this was less about 
bringing the past back to play one more show, but rather more about bringing the future voices of the genre forward to the spotlight. The tour overall was incredible and featured a collection of young and outstanding artists that could benefit from one more push into the limelight. Unique artists like Don Broco, Harm’s Way, Dayseeker, Grayscale, Trash Boat, To Whom It May, and Wage War undoubtedly get an incredible boom by saying “I closed out the last Warped Tour!”
WARPED TOUR PHOTO GALLERY
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