By Grace Prachthauser
Vans Warped Tour, which has cultivated alternative artists ranging from Blink-182 to Katy Perry since its start in 1995, soon will be history.
Festival creator Kevin Lyman issued a statement last November stating this year would be the final full cross-country tour of the “emo summer camp” that has given so many performers a place to truly be themselves.
Tickets quickly sold out quickly for the Holmdel leg of the farewell tour on July 14, 2018.
Despite the heat, thousands of fans were energetic as ever, screaming along to their favorite songs from artists who came from as near as Old Bridge, NJ, and as far as Sydney, Australia, to play on various stages at the PNC Bank Arts Center.
Slideshow photos by Grace Prachthauser:
A fan favorite was We The Kings, most famous for their song Check Yes Juliet. Although the band took the stage early in the day, it still drew one of the biggest crowds.
Another crowd-pleaser was the home-grown group The Stolen, which drew an enthusiastic following to one of the smaller stages.
Although this is the last year of Vans Warped Tour, it has made a lasting impact on generations of music lovers.
It’s also spread a message of compassion, with artists speaking out against the stigma of mental illness and making teenagers and young adults feel less alone in their struggles. And it has promoted organizations like To Write Love On Her Arms, a nonprofit that helps people overcome addictions and depression.
Grace Prachthauser, Morristown High School ’18, plans to devote a gap year to her photography.
