wordplay by Samantha Donen
images courtesy Michael Rubenstein, David Rubin, & Warped Tour
With over 60 confirmed acts on 10 stages at the 12th annual Vans Warped Tour, how do you begin to choose what bands you will see? Perhaps Fuse TV’s VJ Stevens can be your “Warped Guide” this year. He will be on site interviewing bands prior to the tour hitting Denver.
“One of the things that makes Warped Tour such a great music event,” Stevens says, “is that you are bound to discover your next new favorite band.” Last year, Stevens became a new fan of The Riverboat Gamblers, who happen to be playing again this year. “It is a great opportunity to see a lot of bands in one day that you may not have seen before. If you like them, you can go right over to their band tent and buy a CD.”
If you thought the Vans Warped Tour was just a punk rock and skate exhibition event, you might be surprised to find out it is one of the world’s most dynamic music tours. “Since the beginning, it has always been diverse, including everything from rock to swing to hip-hop.” The Denver line-up includes bad @$$ acts from the past like Joan Jett and The Blackhearts to staple Warp acts like NOFX.
This will be Stevens’ second year covering Warped Tour on Fuse TV’s “Steven’s Untitled Rock Show” which airs M – F at 7 p.m. ET. ‘Warped Wednesdays’ will begin airing every Wednesday from June 21st to August 23rd from 11a.m. - 4p.m. ET and ‘Warped Weekends’ on the weekends of July 8th, July 22nd and August 5th. “We love talking to bands,” enthuses Stevens. “We review anybody and everybody playing in a band on the tour so…the fun never stops!”
The all ages Vans Warped Tour 2006 will take place in the parking lot of Denver’s Invesco Field on Sunday, July 23rd. Gates open at 11 a.m., bands begin at noon, and the last act goes on before dark. Stevens recommends getting your tickets ahead of time. “It is not a day to be waiting in line or waiting on people. There are good bands to go see and they only play 30 minute sets. So, keep busy so you can be the person who says ‘I saw them live!’” Tickets can be purchased in advance at Denver’s Twist and Shout (300 E. Alameda) free of service charge for $31 each.
The official line-up and set times will be announced the morning of the show. Stevens said that Kevin Lymon, the brains behind Warped, has been known in past years to let the fans camping out at the gates pick the line-up for the day. Lymon was not available for comment on this. Concert-goers can count on the bands line-up being posted inside the event.
Another thing to check out during the day is the amateur skating competition, sponsored and judged by Vans. Be sure to stop by the Ernie Ball stage to support the local acts participating in the Battle of The Bands competition. The bands competing will be announced the day of the show.
Warped speed ahead!
July 23rd @ Invesco Field
WarpedTour.com