Final lineup announced for Vans Warped Tour at Montage Mountain on July 26 with Scranton’s Motionless In White
Ever since Vans Warped Tour’s well-publicized announcement back in November that the annual traveling punk rock fest will be coming to an end in 2018 after 24 years, speculation has run rampant about its final lineup, fueled by the marketing that this would be the last opportunity to experience a festival that so many people of different generations are so nostalgic for.
While rumored to contain more old school Warped acts this year, the official lineup announced on Thursday contains more expected and straightforward choices, particularly for its last stop at The Pavilion at Montage Mountain on Thursday, July 26. The Scranton date features mainstays like Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, Mayday Parade, Simple Plan, 3OH!3, Asking Alexandria, We the Kings, Four Year Strong, Every Time I Die, and Silverstein joining interesting additions like Frank Turner, Twiztid, Nekrogoblikon, and Scranton’s own Motionless In White, who have played a few Warped Tours and headlined in 2016. (See the full 2018 lineup below.)
The local band shared their excitement and gratitude in a Facebook post following the announcement:
It was the summer of 2005 when we received a message on the Motionless In White Myspace page that we had won the Ernie Ball Battle Of The Bands contest and we were selected to be 1 of 4 local acts that were chosen to play on the Ernie Ball Stage at the Scranton PA Vans Warped Tour date. We were ecstatic! It was the biggest thing that we could have hoped to happen for our band, as at the time we were just four kids fresh out of high school who’s ultimate dream in life was to some day do a full U.S. Warped Tour run. As the years passed, that Ernie Ball battle of the bands win marked the very first step we took to help make that dream become a reality not just once, twice, three times… but as of this Summer of 2018, we are so very very honored to announce that this will be Motionless In White’s fourth full Warped Tour appearance, as we will have the privilege of being a part of the final full U.S. run that Warped Tour will be doing.
We cannot thank Kevin Lyman enough for believing in our band when we were absolutely nothing and helping us grow up as both people and as artists over the past 13 years on his amazing platform that he has shared with so many bands and fans. Our career would not be where it is without Warped Tour and we cannot wait to be a part of this last one to make it as special as possible. See you this summer!
The feeling and respect is mutual. While reflecting on 23 years of producing the festival in a statement released last year, Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman named MIW among the acts he was proud to book and help grow and succeed.
“More recently, I’ve watched bands start out on a small stage and work their way up to the main stages by meeting as many fans as possible and continuing to hone their craft while on the tour – bands like Paramore, A Day to Remember, Sleeping with Sirens, Pierce the Veil, Echosmith, Motionless In White, Black Veil Brides, Every Time I Die, Neck Deep, Beartooth, and so many more,” he listed.
Early Bird tickets, which are 3D collector tickets featuring “stunning 3D graphics and effects, custom printed in the U.S.,” are on sale now and can be purchased online at livenation.com for $55 each, plus fees.
Limited edition pre-sale “Best Day Ever Bundles” are also on sale now at Kings Road Merch for $100, offering one general admission ticket; an exclusive laminate, lanyard, and lithograph; and a 2018 Vans Warped Tour compilation digital download.
Regular general admission tickets will go on sale next Thursday, March 8.
“I truly am happy to get the chance to travel around the country one more time to thank you for your support and bring you another best day ever,” Lyman said on the festival’s website.
“I have spent half of my adult life traveling alongside Kevin on the tour, connecting with bands and fans around the world. Bringing music and action sports to youth for over two decades has been a personal honor, and I’m excited to hit the road on the last cross-country tour,” added Steve Van Doren, vice president of events and promotion at Vans.
Not only is Warped Tour the largest traveling music festival in the United States, it is also the longest-running in North America, featuring more than 1,700 bands and expanding from punk to alternative rock, metal, rap, pop, and many other genres over the years, launching the careers of many diverse acts.
Citing “an evolving summer festival industry, a shrinking pool of bands, and declining ticket sales amongst its teenage demographic” in an interview with Billboard, Lyman admitted to feeling “tired” after decades on the road and, while Warped may continue in some form, particularly to celebrate its 25th anniversary, it will no longer trek across the U.S. with 60+ bands.
See NEPA Scene’s 2017 Warped Tour photos here and listen to exclusive Warped interviews with GWAR, Anti-Flag, Valient Thorr, Big D and the Kids Table, and Silverstein here.
2018 Vans Warped Tour Scranton lineup:
Journeys Left Foot Stage:
3OH!3
Asking Alexandria
Frank Turner
Knuckle Puck
Mayday Parade
Reel Big Fish
State Champs
This Wild Life
Waterparks
Journey’s Right Foot Stage:
Four Year Strong
Issues
Less Than Jake
The Maine
Movements
Real Friends
Simple Plan
Tonight Alive
We the Kings
Mutant Red Dawn Stage:
The Amity Affliction
Chelsea Grin
Deez Nuts
Ice Nine Kills
Kublai Khan
MyChildren MyBride
Sharptooth
Silverstein
Twiztid
Wage War
Mutant White Lightning:
Crown the Empire
Dayseeker
Every Time I Die
In Hearts Wake
Motionless In White
Nekrogoblikon
Unearth
Owly.fm Stage:
As It Is
Assuming We Survive
Broadside
Capstan
Chase Atlantic
Doll Skin
Don Broco
Grayscale
Makeout
Palaye Royale
Sleep on It
Story Untold
Trash Boat
With Confidence
Full Sail Stage:
Farewell Winters
Lighterburns
Photo by Keith Perks/1120 Studios
