Vans Warped Tour returned in full force to celebrate its 30th anniversary on June 14 and 15, 2025, at RFK Festival Campus in Washington D.C.
From the moment gates opened, nostalgia hit like a drop-tuned power chord. The inflatable wall with set times, the sea of merch tents, the scent of sunscreen and food trucks, and the palpable excitement of fans sprinting to stages, all classic markers of Warped were in full swing. With multiple stages active at once, fans dashed from one set to the next, trying to soak in every note of the packed lineup.
This year’s kickoff boasted a mix of generational talent, bringing together legacy acts and rising stars. Classic bands like Sublime, All Time Low, Avril Lavigne, Chidos, and Simple Plan energized longtime fans, while newer artists like Glasswaves, Rochester’s own and winners of the Battle of the Bands, proved that Warped Tour still champions the future of music. Glasswaves raw energy and melodic hooks showed exactly why they earned a slot, making their mark in front of thousands as a bright new face on the scene.
There weren’t just bands to see, there were skateboarders who soared off ramps, BMX riders flying through the air and dirt bikes roaring in the background at the nitro circus. And in true Warped fashion, everywhere you turned there was a spectacle: fans in band tees, pit circles swirling, and that unique camaraderie that only Warped fans understand.
Behind the scenes, you can see so many moving parts, from stagehands to medics, and videographers to security handing out packets of water into the crowds, it took a village to keep the festival rolling smoothly.
We caught up with Danny and Matt From Ashes To New, another Rochester-based act, who have come full circle since first playing Warped in 2014 and with Jason from FEVER 333, whose politically-charged, high-octane set ended with flying guitars and crowd chaos.
NYS Music: “We’re here for the 30th anniversary of Warped Tour, what’s your first ever Warped experience?”
Matt: “2014. We won the Battle of the Bands and played the Ernie Ball stage. We played for a couple hundred people who didn’t know who we were. In 2016, we did the full tour.”
Danny: “2016 was my first time too, also through a Battle of the Bands back then with Vanity Strikes. But playing every stop this time around is so much more fun.”
NYS Music: “Any memorable stories from the road?”
Matt: “Too many. We played the Monster Stage and lived off Monster energy drinks, probably the most unhealthy tour ever. Also, in Atlanta it was 105º, dusty as hell, and I remember having dirt in my teeth for days. Then Phoenix hit with a monsoon 115º and raining sideways.”
Danny: “My biggest memory is the smell of sunscreen and being a ginger, it was necessary and it was the only time in my life that I successfully had color that wasn’t just red.
NYS Music: “Heard you guys are working on a new album?”
Danny: “Yes, it’s done recording wise. Gotcha. So it’s gotta be edited and mixed but yeah, it’s gonna be, gonna be some big time shit.”
Jason Aalon Butler of FEVER 333 Talks Warped Tour, High-Energy Performance, and Pushing Boundaries
NYS Music: “So firstly, let’s talk about your set, that was very high energy.”
Jason (FEVER 333): “Thank you!”
NYS Music: What was your mindset during the set?
Jason: “To be completely honest, my mindset during the set was actually kind of predicated on what’s happening right now in D.C., throughout the country, and in our current climate. From sociopolitical to economic issues, to policy, I think a lot of that influences us. Instead of being frustrated, I try to channel that energy into something that might be positive or offer some sort of change. That’s really where my mind was for most of the performance.”
NYS Music: “During the set, you were pretty much all over the place even climbing up to the top of the stage at one point.”
Jason: “Honestly, for me, performance is therapeutic, but it’s also a physical representation of how far we can push things, hopefully in our favor, as a people. Sure, there’s the entertainment aspect, but there’s also a metaphorical push to break past the limits that have been set on us. That’s what a lot of that energy is about.”
NYS Music: “With it being the 30th anniversary of Warped Tour, what are some of your most memorable moments with the tour?”
Jason: “I was a patron of Warped Tour for many years as a teenager. Then in 2013, my other band, Letlive., played the tour and that was actually the year I met my wife. So yeah, it holds a very special place in my heart.”
NYS Music: “What’s it like being in two bands?”
Jason: “Letlive. is what started it all for me. It’s the reason I understand touring and the mechanics of the music industry. It serves a different purpose for me, creatively and personally. I don’t feel much overlap between the bands, which allows them both to remain distinct experiences. It’s been cool, I feel blessed to have both.”
NYS Music: “So what’s next for FEVER 333?”
Jason: “Really just focusing on the messaging. Making sure people are clear on what this band stands for and why. We want to create a space for conversations, even with people who might not fully align with our views. There’s a lot of value in dialogue — something we’ve omitted from many movements toward liberation and revolution. I want FEVER 333 to be a place where we can educate and entertain — and hopefully open minds along the way.”
Another thing that made Warped Tour so memorable was seeing how many families were there with the kids, getting to experience the festival for their first and hopefully many more.
The 30th Anniversary of Vans Warped Tour isn’t just a celebration of the past, it’s a declaration that the culture is still thriving. From punk veterans to hungry newcomers, from scorching heat to circle pits, from flying BMX bikes to heartfelt acoustic sets, Warped Tour hasn’t missed a beat.
This first stop in D.C. was proof that the heart of Warped still beats loud, fast, and full of fire. Next stops: Long Beach and Orlando and if D.C. was any indicator, you don’t want to miss them.
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