The 15th version of the annual punk festival starting June 26 in Pomona, California, is more like a mobile community – a traveling village with its own text alert system, vendors, contests and even a reverse daycare tent.
Wanna shred like the stars? There’s the AT&T Interactive Air Guitar stage where concert goers can deliver their best licks to rock classics as well as songs by Warped bands like The Devil Wears Prada, The Maine and Less Than Jake.
Or maybe you’d like to play Rock Band on Xbox 360. The game and the platform come together to give you chances to challenge your favorite Warped bands and win Xbox points cards redeemable for goodies such as Rock Band downloads.
You’re never too old for the Vans Amateur Mini-Ramp Skate Jam. The title says it all – a competition featuring 20 to 25 local pre-qualified skaters with cash rewards going to the winners.
Of course, a day-long extravaganza like Warped can be a bit challenging for some, which brings us to the AT&T Reverse Daycare Tent where parents seeking their own day care can chill in air conditioned comfort while their kids act like kids.
Cable music channel Fuse is also getting Warped this summer, designating every Wednesday from July 1 through August 19 "Fuse Warped Wednesday" featuring exlcusive interviews, special editions of “Video Yearbook” and viewer’s choice “No. 1 Countdown” featuring Warped artists as well as on-the-ground reports, courtesy of “Steven’s Untitled Warped Show.”
Want more? How about Denny’s and those after parties at 23 select stops? Or Trojan – purveyors of fine latex products – with rides on a virtual reality roller coaster, trivia contests and free product samples.
Or maybe some body art is what you’re looking for. Stop by Dickies airbrush tattoo parlor and capture the moment with a new design.
Representatives from MusicCares, the organization known for providing a series of services acting as safety nets for musicians and music people, will be at Warped, and will provide “Save Harbor Rooms” offering artists, managers, production crewmembers and everyone associated with the tour access to a sober support network.
Other vendors and exhibits on this year’s Warped Tour include Kia, Skullcandy, Babycakes and anti-smoking organization TheTruth. MySpace Music will be there developing online video diaries and AT&T will deliver Warped Tour Text Alerts to keep you on top of it all.
Yes, there’s a lot going on at Warped, with vendors, services, exhibits and competitions. Oh, and don’t forget to check out a few bands. We hear there will be a zillion or so.
Click here for the Vans Warped Tour Web Site.