Ah, Warped Tour, or as I like to call it, Christmas in July. It’s a festival that goes on from June-August with all kinds of bands from different genres in attendance. The festival takes place at an outdoor amphitheater with many different stages spread throughout the entire venue. Because it’s usually in the middle of summer and outdoors, it can be a little rough to get through, and most people don’t usually know what to bring with them to their first Warped Tour. This isn’t my first rodeo, and like everyone, I too had some bumps in the road with my first Warped Tour. Here are 10 tips to hopefully help you survive Warped and make it a memorable experience!
1. Get plenty of rest the night before.
It’s understandable that you can’t sleep because of excitement, it’s important that you get a good night’s rest so that you’ll have enough energy to tackle the day successfully.
2. Drink plenty of fluids.
Like getting enough sleep, it’s also important that you hydrate yourself the day before, and all day during Warped. Because it’s in the summer, it’s likely to be hot and there’s a higher chance you can overheat, so make sure you stay hydrated and drink plenty of water and Gatorade/Powerade throughout the day.
3. Remember to eat food throughout the day.
I know what it’s like to not want to eat when it’s hot outside, but it is important to eat as well as drink water. Eating small meals or snacks throughout the day will help you stay nourished and give you the energy you need to tackle the day!
4. Dress in older clothes.
If you’re planning on participating in a mosh pit, or crowd surfing, then it’s not the best idea to wear a brand new outfit to warped tour. Wear an old shirt and an old pair of shorts that you can get dirty or possibly torn, because if you’re planning to crowd surf, there is a high chance your clothes will also get torn. Same goes for shoes, wear an old pair of shoes but also make sure they’re comfortable so that you’re able to be on your feet all day.
5. Bring an extra change of clothes.
Because of number four, if you’re worried about your clothes getting torn or ripped, or even dirty, then it’s a good idea to bring a change of clothes to put on after the mosh pit or crowd surfing.
6. Bring cash, not a debit or a credit card.
Most of the merchandise tents at Warped will not have card readers, so in order to make things as quick and convenient as possible, make sure you have plenty of cash on you. This also goes for the food stands as well, you never know when the card readers can go down or if the ATM isn’t working, so always make sure you have plenty of cash on hand.
7. Bring all necessary identification.
If you’re over the age of 21 and you plan on drinking, make sure you have your ID on you; venues will not sell alcohol without identification.This also goes for if you’re buying tickets at the box office the day of the show. If you’re paying with a debit or a credit card, you will have to present your ID when purchasing your tickets.
8. BRING SUNSCREEN.
I can’t stress this one enough. Chances are that the sun is going to be beating down directly, and you’ll more than likely get burned. If you don’t wear sunscreen, you’ll be red and burning, and you will feel like you’re burning up the next day. You will probably be burned just a little with sunscreen, but not as bad as if you go without it. So please, bring your sunscreen!!!! Most venues do not allow the aerosol spray cans, so you’ll have to make sure it’s in lotion form.
9. Take breaks in the shade throughout the day.
Being in the sun all day can lead to heat-stroke, so make sure that you take breaks in the shade throughout the day. Most amphitheaters have an overhang that you can hang out under to sit down and cool off, as well as tables with umbrellas. If your venue does not offer either of those options, then the bathroom is your next best option for some shade.
10. Pack everything you need the night before.
Because you’ll have to leave pretty early in the morning if you want a spot in line before it gets too terribly long, you’ll more than likely be rushed for time. To avoid this, it’s important to make sure you have everything you need, such as tickets for the show, money, sunscreen, extra clothes, cell phone and cell phone charger, and any medication or identification that you need.
Take these tips and use every single one of them to your advantage in order to make your Warped Tour fun and memorable! Remember, Warped Tour is about the music and having a good time, so be safe and beat the heat! Warped Tour kicks off on Friday, June 16th in Seattle, Washington. To find out which bands are playing on which stage, and for more tips on how to survive Warped Tour, head on over to www.vanswarpedtour.com!
