GALLERY + REVIEW: Warped Tour D.C. 2025
Vans Warped Tour 2025
RFK Stadium - Washington, D.C. - June 14th & 15th
Photos & words by Lexi Schnell (@lexischnell)
The 30th Anniversary of Vans Warped Tour kicked off this past weekend in Washington, DC at the RFK Stadium Grounds. The metro was packed with attendees dressed in black from head to toe, and for once, DC felt like home to this writer. The sun may have barely made an appearance and we braved a few passing rain clouds, but none of it was enough to dampen the energy of the day. This wasn’t an event worth missing.
Staying true to its roots, the festival brought back its iconic red inflatable to announce set times day-of—keeping fans guessing until they were on the grounds. True to tradition, the space also featured a robust non-profit section, brand activations, and the beloved Artist Alley where fans had a shot at meeting some of their favorites. Even extreme sports were back in full force: a full-size halfpipe hosted skaters and BMX riders, this time with the addition of the Nitro Circus team for an added adrenaline rush.
By the time gates opened, fans were already lined up and ready to sprint toward the inflatable, hoping to catch set times and scope out their home base for the weekend.
The first band Noisescape caught was Rain City Drive, a band originally from Palm Coast, Florida. Their lead singer, Matt McAndrew, happens to be from the same hometown as this writer—making the set feel a bit more personal. The group hit the stage with style: all black outfits and chain necklaces, with one pop of color from the guitarist’s orange-tinted shades.
They came out swinging with high energy and solid crowd interaction—even jumping down from the main stage to connect with fans face-to-face. Matt’s vocals were smooth, and it was clear Rain City Drive thrives in a live setting. Their set featured fan favorites like “Wish You The Best,” “Concrete Closure,” “Blood Runs Cold,” “Talk to a Friend,” and more. Even when the festival experienced a few technical hiccups, the band kept momentum high with a round of crowd chants and great energy. Grateful to be part of the weekend, they took a moment to share their appreciation and gave fans a set worth remembering.
Mayday Parade is practically synonymous with Warped Tour, and their legacy showed. Originally launching their career in 2006 by handing out CDs in the festival parking lot, the band has returned again and again— and for good reason. Anticipation was thick before their set, with the crowd chanting and cheering in hopes of an early start. The Vans Right Foot Stage was jam-packed all the way to the back, and even those just passing by were singing along. Balancing old favorites with newer tracks, their setlist was built to satisfy fans across generations. Highlights included “Jamie All Over,” “I’d Hate to Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About,” “Anywhere But Here,” “Piece Of Your Heart,” and more—each track accompanied by eye-catching visuals on the screen behind them, unique to every song.
From Ashes To New brought intensity to the stage with their signature blackout aesthetic: every member dressed in black with varying levels of black paint on their visible skin. Visually, their set packed an extra punch. Originally from Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, the band played like they were born up there. They admitted they usually play festivals with a different vibe than Warped, but the crowd welcomed them with open arms—forming circle pits and singing along with full energy.
Warped Tour veterans themselves, the band expressed gratitude for the event’s return, and fans were just as excited to have them back. Their biggest radio hit “Barely Breathing” was a clear standout, with the entire crowd joining in. They closed with a heartfelt reminder: “This is what happens when you don’t give up on your dreams.”
World’s First Cinema may be new to the Warped scene, but they hit the ground running. Bursting with energy from the start, they had no trouble grabbing attention—even from nearby stages. Lead singer John, a classically trained musician, seamlessly wove his violin into the set—an integral part of their sound that added a cinematic layer without ever feeling out of place.
They performed their latest single “End Of My Rope,” and the chemistry between the duo made it obvious how much they love what they do. Despite the heat, they were all smiles throughout the set.
MGK closed out the main stage on Day One, and the buzz around his set was unavoidable. Artists throughout the day mentioned their excitement to catch his performance, and his merch booth had a steady line from start to finish. As fans began chanting for his arrival, the stage was revealed—featuring a grungy pink gas station seemingly inspired from the music video for his latest single, “cliché.” MGK kicked things off from a tall platform near the back of the stage with his song “title track,” before making his way down to get closer to the fans. His set was packed with high energy and dramatic visuals—including a heavy dose of pyro that lit up the sky and amped up the already electric crowd.
He shared his excitement about being at Warped Tour, saying he was happy to see rock music “thriving more than ever,” and spoke about how surreal it felt to watch the same bands he grew up with “killing it.”
But mid-set, MGK paused for a deeply personal moment to pay tribute to Luke “The Dingo” Trembath, someone who had been like a brother to him. He shared that this was his first show since Luke’s passing and admitted feeling nervous going on without him watching from side stage. He explained that they hadn’t done any of their usual pre-show chants or traditions, and then, in front of the crowd, scattered some of Luke’s ashes across the stage—telling him, “You still made it to Warped Tour.” It was raw, real, and deeply moving.
Later in the set, MGK brought out Mod Sun to perform “concert for aliens.” The duo shared they had first met at Warped years ago, and Mod Sun took a moment to call Tickets To My Downfall “the greatest pop punk album of our generation.” During “cliché,” MGK jumped into the crowd, making his way to a young girl perched on her mother’s shoulders and singing directly to her—an unforgettable moment for her and the audience alike.
MGK delivered a powerful, emotional, and electrifying performance to cap off Day One— and left the crowd feeling more than ready for what Day Two might bring.
Despite the rainy start, day two kicked off with a noticeably smoother rhythm. Everyone—from artists and staff to fans—seemed to know what to expect this time around. Lines moved quicker, wristbands were scanned with ease, and there was a more relaxed energy across the grounds. Fans rocked merch they snagged the day before (some even showing signs of sunburn from the overcast heat), ready to dive into another stacked lineup.
The first set we caught was Knuckle Puck, and despite their early time slot, both the band and the crowd came in swinging. Fans wasted no time forming circle pits and launching into crowd surfs, feeding off the band’s relentless energy. Playing tracks like “Pretense” and “Want Me Around,” they seemed genuinely stoked to be on stage. The band shared that they were so excited Warped Tour was back, they had actually attended the first day just to walk the grounds and catch other sets as fans themselves—a full circle moment that added even more heart to their performance.
We the Kings, 17 years strong, proved yet again why they’re Warped Tour staples. Having played the festival countless times, they credited it for shaping them into the band they are today, expressing hope that this wouldn’t be the last return. Early into their set, they told the crowd he could already tell it would be his favorite day of the year—and judging by the response, he might’ve been right.
In a touching moment, the band paused to acknowledge Father’s Day, sharing that 4 out of 5 members were dads missing time with their kids. To bridge the distance, lead singer Travis Clark taught the crowd two dance moves his daughters had made up, so they could send them a video performing the routine live. The crowd was all in—not a single person stood still. Of course, they closed with “Check Yes, Juliet,” and as expected, the crowd sang it back so loudly it felt like the chorus was echoing from every corner of the festival—a full-body goosebump moment that perfectly capped their set.
We only caught the first few songs of Honey Revenge, but even in a short time, they left a lasting impression. Dressed in matching purple jumpsuits (perfectly coordinating with the lead singer’s hair), they delivered a polished and high-energy performance that had fans locked in from the jump. Their excitement was infectious—they looked genuinely thrilled to be there, and the crowd reflected that right back.
Boys Like Girls took the stage like they’d never left. After a 12-year break, they returned with confidence and style. Sporting signature leather jackets (and a standout fur coat on the drummer), their look matched the surreal, abstract visuals flashing across the screens behind them.
The band made it clear how much they appreciated being part of Warped again, reminiscing about earlier years while powering through massive singalongs like “The Great Escape” and “Five Minutes to Midnight.” They were constantly tossing guitar picks into the crowd—small gestures that made it obvious how much they valued that connection with their fans.
A quick stop at Bowling for Soup revealed a band truly in their element. Their Warped Tour veteran status shone through, and the crowd responded in kind. This time around, they brought along a new layer to their set: their connection to Phineas and Ferb. Before the band even hit the stage, fans were catching branded t-shirts fired from cannons, surrounded by crew members in Perry the Platypus shirts and hats. Their live performance of the Phineas and Ferb theme song, which they originally wrote, got a massive cheer— especially when Dan Povenmire came on stage to perform as Dr. Doofenshmirtz. But even with the cartoon nostalgia, Bowling for Soup delivered the hits they’re best known for, bringing all the energy you’d expect from one of the fest’s most seasoned acts.
The rain started falling hard during Pennywise, but that only made their set more memorable. The punk legends didn’t flinch, and neither did the crowd—if anything, it added to the energy. Their side stage was the most packed I saw all weekend, drawing notable figures including pro skaters and even Steve Van Doren, son of Vans' co-founder. Between sets of their own material, Pennywise broke into short covers from past Warped Tour bands, creating a kind of musical time capsule while reminding everyone why they still own that stage.
Silverstein played in the thick of the rain and somehow made it feel even more electric. The band didn’t let up for a second, and the lead singer made multiple trips down off the stage to get closer to the crowd, rain-soaked and all. Fans responded in kind—soaked, shouting lyrics, and not missing a beat. It was gritty and real and exactly what you hope for in a Warped set.
Simple Plan brought pure spectacle to the main stage, with smoke cannons, confetti blasts, and crisp graphics synced to each song. Every track came with a full visual package behind it, adding a polished punch to their pop-punk energy. Their connection with the crowd was undeniable—everyone was locked in, singing loud, jumping higher, and feeding off the band's nonstop momentum.
We were only able to catch a single song from Memphis May Fire before needing to duck for camera cover, but in that short time, they made an impact. Their pyro effects were some of the strongest of the weekend—flames shooting high into the rainy sky, adding serious intensity to their performance. Even in just one track, it was clear they brought the fire (literally and figuratively).
Avril Lavigne closed out the main stage on the final night in perfect fashion, offering a set that was both energetic and nostalgic. Fans danced around in ponchos, some splashing in puddles like they were in a pop-punk music video. A surprise highlight came when she covered Sum 41’s “In Too Deep” and brought out frontman Deryck Whibley to perform it with her—a major treat for longtime Warped fans.
Of course, she also delivered on the classics, performing hits like “Girlfriend” and “Sk8er Boi,” and the crowd gave her every bit of energy they had left from the weekend.
Overall, day two had the kind of magic that comes when everything clicks—the music, the fans, the memories. It was clear from both artists and attendees that Warped Tour still holds a special place in people’s hearts. With more anniversary dates coming up in Long Beach and Orlando, the 30th anniversary is just getting started—and DC set the bar high.
