The 2014 Vans Warped Tour kicks off this week, and what once started as a punk rock and skateboarding festival in 1995 has grown extensively in the last 19 years. Today's lineup boasts over 100 bands in genres ranging from punk and alternative rock to electropop and hardcore. Nowadays, even the Warped Tour attendees are different: they take selfies with their favorite band members, live-tweet their favorite performances and can even kick it at home, enjoying the live stream. But back in the day, Warped Tour was a whole different animal.
Here are 11 signs you went to Warped Tour way back when:
After buying a ticket from your local music store, you headed to Hot Topic to pick up a sweet studded belt.
Or maybe a graphic tee that really captured your bitter teenage soul ...
... Which you ended up taking off at the show when it got too hot and you couldn't afford the $10 bottles of water at the vendors. These days, they actually have hydration stations where you can fill up for free.
Warped Tour 2006, Uniondale, New York
Of course you wore your Converse with lyrics written all over them. The blisters they gave you only made you more hardcore.
When the lead singer of Simple Plan got all up in your face, you couldn't even Instagram it, because, like, that didn't exist yet.
Warped Tour 2003, Orlando, Florida
So you just threw up a rock sign to let him know how much you were feeling it.
Warped Tour 2003, Orlando, Florida
And maybe, if you were lucky, your friend captured the moment on her awesome disposable camera.
Warped Tour 2004, Fullerton, California
Forget holding up cell phones to record anything. The only thing you ever held up at Warped was whoever was crowd surfing your way. In this case, Dan Marsala, lead singer of "Story of the Year."
Warped Tour 2004, Dallas, Texas
Unless, of course, you were getting the one held up by security:
Warped 2004, Fullterton, California
Warped Tour was the only place you could say, "Find me by the fence! I'm the one with the black mohawk!" and still be hard to find.
Warped Tour 2006, Uniondale, New York
And lastly, you had no idea WTF a Skrillex was, but this dude Sonny Moore in "From First To Last" was pretty dope.
Warped Tour 2006, Columbia, Maryland
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
