GALLERY + REVIEW: Vans Warped Tour D.C. 2026
Vans Warped Tour 2026
RFK Stadium - Washington, D.C. - June 13th & 14th
Photos & words by Lexi Schnell (@lexischnell)
Warped Tour Brings Two Days of Music, Skateboarding, and Community Back to Washington, DC
Warped Tour returned to the RFK Festival Grounds in Washington, DC on June 13 & 14th, bringing two days of music, skateboarding, and community to the nation's capital. Despite temperatures climbing well into the summer heat, fans packed the grounds from open to close, moving between stages, exploring vendor villages, and gathering around the festival's iconic halfpipe demonstrations. From longtime Warped veterans to artists making their Warped debut, the weekend showcased exactly why the festival continues to hold a special place in alternative music culture.
Day One
One of the first sets we caught came from girlfriends, who delivered an energetic performance filled with personal stories and crowd interaction. Frontman Travis Mills reflected on attending his first Warped Tour at just 13 years old before eventually touring the festival himself from a merch tent in the early days of his career. The set featured fan favorites including "Mouth Like a Loaded Gun," a song dedicated to all the Jessicas in attendance, and a closing performance of "California." The festival mascot even made an appearance during a song about getting a new tattoo, adding another fun moment to an already entertaining set. Afterward, the band headed directly to meet fans.
Over at the Beatbox stage, Bryce Vine proved that the heat was no match for his energy. Joking that the weather wasn't too bad because he's from Miami, he spent the set dancing across the stage while a large crowd sang and bobbed along. Fans were also treated to the live debut of a new song that he produced himself. By the end of the set, he made his way to the barricade to embrace fans, further reinforcing the easygoing atmosphere that defines his live performances.
The festival's famous halfpipe demonstrations once again drew massive crowds throughout the weekend. One particularly memorable showcase featured skaters ranging from a 13-year-old competitor from Japan to veterans well into their fifties, all performing impressive tricks under the blazing sun. BMX riders also joined the action, providing thirty minutes of nonstop excitement between musical performances.
The Home Team brought infectious energy to their first-ever Warped Tour appearance in Washington, DC. The band's performance was packed with synchronized jumps and spins from the guitarist and bassist, while vocalist Brian Butcher's powerful vocals never missed a beat. Songs like "Turn You Off" and "Overtime" had fans dancing throughout the set, and the band took time to recognize the other artists sharing the festival lineup. It was clear both the band and crowd were enjoying the moment.
Few bands fit Warped Tour quite like Sleeping With Sirens, and their set demonstrated exactly why they've remained festival favorites for so many years. Opening with "Kick Me," the band immediately ignited the crowd, which responded with constant movement, crowd surfing, and singalongs. They mixed newer material with longtime favorites, including "If You Can't Hang," while also treating fans to a brand-new song that was met with an enthusiastic response. At one point, the band paused to tell the audience they were "fucking sick," a sentiment that seemed well-earned given the energy coming back from the crowd.
Despite a travel nightmare that included canceled flights, delays, and lost luggage, LØLØ still delivered one of the day's standout performances. A scheduling discrepancy resulted in fans lining up well before her set, creating noticeable anticipation by the time she took the stage. The crowd rewarded her with enthusiastic participation, including a mosh pit during "2 of Us." Between songs, she shared her excitement for her upcoming headline show at DC's 9:30 Club and repeatedly thanked both her band and the audience for helping turn a chaotic travel day into a memorable performance.
Honey Revenge delivered one of the day's most energetic sets. Coordinated in the band's signature purple aesthetic, the group looked as sharp as they sounded. Vocalist Devin Papadol's powerful voice shined throughout the performance, including on "Butterfly Effect," a recent release from the band's upcoming album. When she noticed the crowd beginning to fade from the heat, she encouraged everyone to dance a little harder—and fans happily responded. The chemistry between the band members was evident from start to finish.
As the sun began to set, Waterparks took the stage to one of the largest crowds of the evening. After spending all day in the heat, fans somehow found another gear for one of the festival's most anticipated performances. The band balanced newer material, including the recently released "Better Than Therapy," with older favorites for longtime fans. Songs like "Numb" and "Blonde" generated massive singalongs, while excitement for their upcoming album release in July was evident throughout the crowd.
girlfriends
Bryce Vine
The Home Team
Sleeping With Sirens
LØLØ
Honey Revenge
Waterparks
Day Two
Day two began with noticeably fresher faces—although plenty of attendees were sporting impressive sunburns from the previous afternoon.
Jutes kicked off the day with a confident set that quickly energized the crowd. Before performing one song, he asked fans, "Where the freaks at?" and was met with an enthusiastic response. Throughout the set, he thanked Warped Tour for including him on all five festival dates and shared news of an album arriving in August along with an upcoming tour, giving fans plenty to look forward to.
Traveling from the United Kingdom, Boston Manor made the most of their brief return to the United States. The band encouraged constant movement from the crowd, calling for circle pits throughout the set while performing songs including "England's Dreaming." Branded beach balls floated overhead as fans embraced the band's high-energy performance. Having first played the full Warped Tour in 2015, their return felt especially fitting, and they also teased a November U.S. tour supporting their newest album.
The crowd participation during Hot Mulligan was impossible to ignore. Fans sang along to nearly every word, creating one of the loudest singalongs of the afternoon. The band's trademark humor was on full display as they joked that they planned to "talk and yell" at the crowd for forty minutes. Equal parts chaotic and entertaining, the set perfectly captured the band's personality.
Pop-punk veterans Plain White T's brought a wave of nostalgia to the festival grounds. The band arrived with infectious energy, encouraging singalongs from the start while performing hits and fan favorites alike. Frontman Tom Higgenson, sporting a striking red retro jacket, led the crowd through multiple crowd-driven moments, including honoring a fan-requested song. Watching a young fan perched on her father's shoulders singing along served as a reminder of how many generations Warped Tour continues to reach.
One of the weekend's biggest dance parties arrived courtesy of 3OH!3. The crowd was fully engaged from the opening moments, singing along and matching the duo's energy. The festival mascot once again made an appearance during their set, adding to the fun atmosphere. Songs like "Double Vision" kept the momentum high, and it was obvious both the band and audience were having a blast.
Daisy Grenade drew an enthusiastic crowd with a high-energy performance. Sporting matching jerseys featuring "Weird" across the front and "Different" across the back, the duo quickly won over fans packed in front of the stage. The audience remained fully engaged throughout the set, making for a memorable performance.
Closing out our coverage was DeathByRomy, whose fans showed no signs of leaving despite an impending thunderstorm looming over the festival grounds. Dressed in matching hoodies, the band brought their signature intensity from the moment they took the stage. High-energy performances of songs including "Kill Everything" kept fans engaged throughout the set, proving that even threatening weather wasn't enough to dampen the enthusiasm surrounding one of the weekend's most anticipated artists.
Jutes
Boston Manor
Hot Mulligan
Plain White T’s
3OH!3
Daisy Grenade
DeathByRomy
By the time the final notes rang out on Sunday night, thousands of fans had spent two days battling the summer heat, discovering new artists, reconnecting with old favorites, and celebrating a festival that continues to bring together multiple generations of music fans. Between the performances, the halfpipe demonstrations, and the sense of community that has always defined Warped Tour, the weekend served as a reminder that the festival's spirit remains as strong as ever.
