Kevin Lyman's goal was never to create nostalgia when he revived Vans Warped Tour for its 30th anniversary. Instead, he aimed to bring together a new generation of music fans and foster a sense of community.
The punk rock festival, which first launched in 1995, had been inactive since 2018 but returned with a revamped lineup and production team this summer. By choosing diverse host cities across the US, Lyman achieved what he had long sought – widespread buy-in from local communities that were once hesitant to support Warped.
Lyman's initial vision was not solely focused on revisiting past glories. Rather, it was about tapping into a renewed interest in punk music and creating an immersive experience for attendees. He teamed up with Live Nation-owned Insomniac to host the festival's biggest dates yet, featuring larger stages, merchandise tables for every band, and charitable partnerships.
To maintain Warped's original ethos, Lyman kept ticket prices accessible, set times for lineups unknown ahead of time, and introduced a new Charity Circle with 25 nonprofit organizations. These deliberate choices aimed to keep the festival fresh and relevant to younger audiences while honoring its punk rock heritage.
Lyman is proud that Warped has become an integral part of his students' education at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music, serving as a hands-on classroom for young people to learn about punk music and culture. Although he may not be able to physically participate in all 35 shows anymore due to age, Lyman will continue to instill his values through Warped, such as doing good business and fostering positive connections among people.
For the 64-year-old founder of Vans Warped Tour, the past three decades have been a testament to the power of music to bring people together. As he looks forward to future editions of the festival, Lyman's dedication to creating an inclusive, community-driven experience remains unwavering – a beacon of hope for a world increasingly fragmented by division and negativity.
The punk rock festival, which first launched in 1995, had been inactive since 2018 but returned with a revamped lineup and production team this summer. By choosing diverse host cities across the US, Lyman achieved what he had long sought – widespread buy-in from local communities that were once hesitant to support Warped.
Lyman's initial vision was not solely focused on revisiting past glories. Rather, it was about tapping into a renewed interest in punk music and creating an immersive experience for attendees. He teamed up with Live Nation-owned Insomniac to host the festival's biggest dates yet, featuring larger stages, merchandise tables for every band, and charitable partnerships.
To maintain Warped's original ethos, Lyman kept ticket prices accessible, set times for lineups unknown ahead of time, and introduced a new Charity Circle with 25 nonprofit organizations. These deliberate choices aimed to keep the festival fresh and relevant to younger audiences while honoring its punk rock heritage.
Lyman is proud that Warped has become an integral part of his students' education at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music, serving as a hands-on classroom for young people to learn about punk music and culture. Although he may not be able to physically participate in all 35 shows anymore due to age, Lyman will continue to instill his values through Warped, such as doing good business and fostering positive connections among people.
For the 64-year-old founder of Vans Warped Tour, the past three decades have been a testament to the power of music to bring people together. As he looks forward to future editions of the festival, Lyman's dedication to creating an inclusive, community-driven experience remains unwavering – a beacon of hope for a world increasingly fragmented by division and negativity.
. He didn't just revive the festival to make some cash, he's genuinely tryin' to spread love and positivity through music 
. I mean, think about it - a 30th-anniversary celebration ain't just about nostalgia, it's about bringin' a new crew into the fold and creatin' a sense of community that transcends age boundaries 
. And let's be real, who doesn't love seein' punk rock fans from all walks of life comin' together for one big ol' party 
? The fact that he kept ticket prices low, introduced a Charity Circle, and made sure the festival stays true to its roots is just plain cool 
. Lyman's legacy goes way beyond just runnin' a successful festival - it's about spreadin' good vibes and creatin' a safe space for people to express themselves 
.
. Anyway, back to Warped Tour... what's up with the merchandise? Like, who buys all that merch table crap? Just asking 
. Oh wait, did you know that my fave band from high school is still together? We should totally get tickets for their reunion show!
, Kevin Lyman is a genius, but like, not in a "he's so smart" kinda way. I mean, the dude basically figured out how to bring back a dead festival by focusing on what actually matters – creating a sense of community and keeping it real 
. And let's be real, who wouldn't wanna see punk rock festivals with diverse host cities and no ticket price gouging? 
It's about time someone made Warped Tour relevant again. I'm just surprised it took this long for them to get it right 
. It's awesome to see him keeping ticket prices low and the energy high, with those larger stages and merchandise tables, it's like the old-school spirit is back 
Kevin Lyman is literally the ultimate boss for reviving this iconic fest. I mean, who else could make punk rock cool again? 
The way he's keeping it real by having diverse host cities and accessible ticket prices is giving me LIFE! 
I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm all for community-driven events, but let's not forget, there's gotta be more to it than meets the eye... 
. The whole community-driven vibe is super infectious – it's like he tapped into this collective energy that just makes you wanna rock out 
. The fact that Warped has become an integral part of music education is actually really cool – it's like he's passing on his passion to a whole new wave of punk rock fans 
!
, spreading positivity & inclusivity - that's the vibe I'm all about 
30 yrs ago vans warped tour was all about bringin ppl together thru music & now its still doin that!!! he's not tryna be nostalgic, but actually innovatin & makin it relevant 4 the new gen 
. and its so cool that his students at USC get to learn from him in person 
. aged 64 and still killing the game, kevin lyman is literally my hero 
. im all about this inclusive & community-driven vibe - it's like, music should bring people together, not drive us apart 
I think it's really cool that Kevin Lyman is still going strong with Warped Tour, especially after being away from it for so long. The fact that he brought together a new gen of music fans who might not have known about the original tour is super awesome. I love how he kept the festival accessible and fresh, like keeping ticket prices low and introducing a Charity Circle. It's amazing to see how Warped has become an educational tool for young people learning about punk culture! 
how do we know that Kevin Lyman's values of "doing good business" and fostering positive connections among people aren't just a marketing ploy?