Crowd Surfer – Warped Tour 2018
After 24 years of good times and even better music, Vans Warped Tour has set out on its final run. The traveling music festival made its last stop at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on July 21, 2018 boasting a stacked line-up featuring stellar sets from Simple Plan, Tonight Alive, 3OH!3, Knuckle Puck and many more.
The entire experience was full of unforgettable fun, but a few highlights stood out among the musical extravaganza. Here are the top five things we saw at the last-ever Warped Tour Tinley Park.
The Early Bird Catches the Reel Big Fish
One of the things that makes Warped Tour unique among the ever-growing festival scene is that the set times remain a secret until the day of each stop. That means fans who want to guarantee that they see all their favorite bands must be inside the venue by the performance start time of 11 a.m.
The Tinley Park edition of Warped Tour 2018 found ska legends Reel Big Fish kicking things off on the Journeys Left Foot Stage with a set full of sing-alongs including the group’s infectious cover of “Take On Me.” There’s no wrong way to begin a day at Warped Tour, but it doesn’t get much better than easing into the celebration of punk rock rebellion than with punchy horns, pop melodies and a collective agreement that – with the exception of present company – “Everyone Else Is An Asshole.”
Reel Big Fish – Warped Tour 2018
Microphone Magic with Senses Fail
There are a lot of things to love about Senses Fail. Cathartic songs, heavy hitting rhythms and an unmatched energy that gushes from the musicians to the crowd. At the top of that list has to be the incredible stage antics of front man Buddy Nielsen. His microphone wizardry is absolutely beyond compare as he tosses, twists and manipulates the chord with acrobatic precision.
Senses Fail – Warped Tour 2018
Mop Guy
Due to a very rainy day, an unlikely hero emerged in the Journeys Left Foot spotlight. A stage hand – affectionately dubbed “mop guy” by the crowd – was met with cheers each time he cleared the water between sets to the point that chants of “one more mop” became a popular rallying cry.
As the day went on, Mop Guy became a symbol of hope and resilience to not let it rain on the Warped parade. For those about to mop, we salute you.
Mop Guy – Warped Tour 2018
Real Friends Hometown Hullabaloo
Real Friends put on an incredible show at each and every Warped Tour performance, but the Tinley stop was extra special as Dan Lambton and company hail from the Village of Tinley Park. Local fans packed the Journeys Right Foot Stage to see these hometown heroes perform hits from their entire discography including their 2018 release Composure.
An endless flow of crowd surfers floated overhead throughout Real Friends 30-minute set as super fans on the rail held their ground and belted out every lyric to songs like “Summer” and “I Don’t Love You Anymore.” They say that you can’t go home again, but Real Friends are welcome to rock Tinley Park anytime.
Real Friends – Warped Tour 2018
The Fans
Hands down the best thing about Warped Tour is the fans. From crowd surfers to autograph seekers to the dedicated souls who camp out all day to see their favorite artists from the front row, Warped Tour wouldn’t be what it is today without the dedicated support of generations of punk rock enthusiasts.
Crowd Surfers – Warped Tour 2018
Thank you Warped Tour fans, bands and organizers for redefining what a live music festival can – and should – be. Click here for more information about Vans Warped Tour and check out our photo gallery of all the fun below.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
