Written and Photos by Jordan Hefler
After 23 years of providing an annual excuse to get sweaty and rock out to punk music, the iconic Vans Warped Tour is unfortunately coming to an end with their current 2018 tour across North America. The tour rolled through Houston for its final show at NRG Park on July 8th and went out with quite a bang, nearly being cancelled due to insane weather and incessant rain. Despite delaying set times by a few hours, the tour continued to press on with a “show must go on” mentality and the bands seemed unfazed by playing in the pouring rain. The lineup consisted of bands big and small, encompassing everything from hardcore to ska. Some of the highlights of the Houston date were legendary early 2000’s band Simple Plan, current pop punk powerhouse State Champs, and the veteran southern rock/hardcore act Every Time I Die. The crowds were 100% committed and active despite the sogginess of the entire experience, proving that the scene is more engaged than ever. Vans Warped Tour may be coming to an end, but the recent resurgence in popularity of the emo/pop punk genres is a hopeful nod to whatever is next to come!
