Los Angeles, CA, May 9, 2016 –The 41-date Vans Warped Tour® 2016, presented by Journeys®, is the largest traveling music festival in the United States, and the longest-running touring music festival in North America. Originally conceived by founder Kevin Lyman in 1995 as an eclectic alternative rock festival with a focus on punk rock, the multi-stage tour has grown over the years to include a multitude of genres, including metal, hip hop, reggae, and pop.
Vans Warped Tour has been able to remain an affordable destination for music fans of all ages for 22 years thanks to its enduring partnerships with brands and organizations. The first wave of 2016 featured sponsors/partners include: Vans,Journeys, Monster Energy, the U.S. Army, truth, Full Sail University, peta2,Twix, Trojan Condoms, Fueled By Ramen, Cool Gear, Ernie Ball, Depop andThe Entertainment Institute (TEI). A complete list of participating sponsors, partners, nonprofits and labels is available on the tour’s website.
“Without the support of our sponsors, it would be impossible to put on a tour of this size and caliber, for a fair price,” Lyman says. “I’d like to thank all of our great sponsors for continuing to support us, and for seeing the true value in engaging with our fans.”
In 2016, fans will see an increased presence from featured sponsor Journeys, a leader in the teen specialty retail scene. In its third year of sponsorship, the company is taking over both main stages, which are being re-branded the Journeys Left Foot Stage and the Journeys Right Foot Stage. “Our involvement with The Vans Warped Tour supports our long-term music strategy and aligns perfectly with one of our top brand partners, Vans,” says Jim Estepa, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Journeys Group. “Just like the past two years, we plan to bring this Tour to life across all of our available channels to celebrate the partnership with both our customers and employees through special on-site, online and in-store activations.”
Festival-goers will also experience the new Monster Energy Party Zone. Presented by long-standing Vans Warped Tour partner Monster Energy, this area will feature matching side-by-side stages of non-stop heavy music from bands such as Atreyu, Every Time I Die, Motionless In White, The Color Morale and Chelsea Grin.
“Every few years or so, we need to make tweaks to the Vans Warped Tour,” Lyman explains. “In 2016, that will be the addition of the Monster Energy Party Zone. I am excited to deepen our partnership with Monster Energy to build this area out and bring heavier bands from the Warped family to our fans.”
Another innovation from Lyman’s festival is brought to you by Full Sail University, an award-winning educational leader for those pursuing careers in the entertainment and media industry. Lyman worked with long-time record label partners to curate the Full Sail Stage and present up-and-coming bands such as Cane Hill, Like Pacific and Bad Seed Rising. “Over the years our relationship with Vans Warped Tour has continued to grow and evolve,” saysFull Sail University‘s VP of Alumni Relations, Jay Noble. “For example, graduates have experienced internship and employment opportunities throughout the multi-city concert tour, while Full Sail’s campus recently hosted the Warped Tour lineup webcast. We couldn’t be prouder to continue this partnership on this year’s tour by presenting The Full Sail Stage.”
The popular annual Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands, during which unsigned bands compete for the chance to perform on select Vans Warped Tour dates, will also shine a spotlight on tomorrow‘s stars – this year evolving into a place where artists compete to win a chance to play on one of the Journeys Main Stages. “I started this program twenty years ago because the opportunity to experience playing music live seemed to be dwindling,” says Ernie Ball CEO Sterling Ball. “Because the opportunities are even fewer and far between today, we’re even more passionate about continuing to create the programs that give bands the exposure and experience of playing these world-class events.”
To compliment this jam-packed full day of music, this year’s Vans Warped Tour festival village will offer a wide-range of lifestyle attractions, information and educational activities. These initiatives speak to the festival’s commitment to nonprofits and organizations dedicated to socially conscious causes. “Warped has evolved into a festival comprised of three equal parts: music, philanthropy and education,” Lyman says. “With the 2016 tour, we have truly accomplished this balance.”
The influential youth animal rights group peta2 plans to unveil its thought-provoking ‘Who Are You Wearing?’ theme, which addresses the cruelty involved in raising and killing animals for their skins. “Warped Tour is consistently the largest and most successful initiative for our program, helping more than 100,000 motivated and animal-friendly young people take action for animals every single year,” says peta2 Director of International Youth Outreach Ryan Huling. “We put months of planning into designing our groundbreaking campaigns. This year’s theme will be our boldest yet.”
The national youth tobacco prevention campaign truth® will once again have a prominent on-site presence. truth is inspiring this generation of youth and young to use their creativity to end tobacco for good. “The Vans Warped Tour is where we go head-to-head with the tobacco industry by engaging with the audience on the ground,” says Eric Asche, Chief Marketing Officer of Truth Initiative, the organization that funds and directs the truth campaign. “Having a physical presence on the tour helps us compete for market share—and market share to truth equals lives saved.”
For aspiring music industry pros, the Entertainment Institute (TEI) will offer daily, 40-minute backstage learning sessions each day courtesy of experts, or “Gurus.” “Our goal this summer is to provide a positive environment where Gurus and fans can discuss what’s most important to them,” TEI co-founder Matt Halpern says. “The sessions provide an unparalleled opportunity for fans to get below the surface and learn about what truly drives the artists they love. It’s also a great place for fans to meet one another and build solid relationships that extend way beyond the Warped Tour.”
Relationships are also the focus for Depop, the mobile-based social shopping app that allows people to sell any item by simply taking a photo of it. “We had a blast on last year’s tour,” says Depop Chief Marketing Officer Nick Lisher. “We moshed; we partied; we got free hugs; and we left dangerously sunburnt. We can’t wait to nurture the relationship between music and fashion again this summer—only this time we’ll be working with even more artists and wearing more sunblock. See you in the pits!”
For the third year in a row, official hydration sponsor Cool Gear will be helping festival-goers stay cool both by providing free filtered water at hydration stations and selling an exclusive, BPA-free coolgearcan™ with 2016 VWT Official Artwork created by Every Time I Die guitarist & artist Jordan Buckley. “We couldn’t be more excited to hit the road again this summer,” says Cool Gear marketing manager Maryann Stracuzzi. “We’re psyched that our exclusive coolgearcan™ is such a hit each year, and we can’t wait to get back out there to help everyone keep cool.”
Plus, record label Fueled By Ramen will be along for the ride keeping fans cool in the form of a giant waterslide. “Fueled By Ramen has a long history with the Vans Warped Tour, and we definitely look forward to it every summer,” says Erick Charles, Fueled By Ramen senior director of field ops. “No other tour would let us bring our giant blow-up waterslide for the first time ever! We can’t wait to see the fans having a blast, sliding and singing FBR tunes.”
And finally, the U.S. Army will also be returning to the tour. “We are excited to head into the third year of our partnership with the Vans Warped Tour,” said Kelli Bland, spokesperson for U.S. Army Recruiting Command. “This tour has enabled us to share the U.S. Army story as well as career opportunities and benefits with hundreds of thousands of young people across the country.”
The VANS WARPED TOUR 2016 launches on June 24 in Dallas, TX, and will wind down on August 13 in Portland, OR. This year’s line-up features the return of fan favorites New Found Glory, Tonight Alive, Less Than Jake, Yellowcard, We The Kings, Sleeping With Sirens, Falling In Reverse, Four Year Strong, Reel Big Fish and Pepper. Joining these bands is an impressive mix of newer acts such as State Champs, Like Pacific, In Hearts Wake, Capsizeand From Ashes To New. For the full list of confirmed acts, visit:www.vanswarpedtour.com/bands.
“As Vans celebrates 50 incredible years of ‘Off The Wall’ moments, we are extremely proud and excited to continue to support creative expression with the bands, staff and music lovers that make up the Vans Warped Tour family,” VansVP of Events and Promotions Steve Van Doren says. “With 22 years as the title sponsor of the Vans Warped Tour, each year we look forward to a summer traveling to 41 cities across the United States. In pure Vans fashion, don’t forget to stop by the main Vans booth for some signature Vans surprises.”
Tickets for the VANS WARPED TOUR 2016 are now on-sale and can be purchased at www.vanswarpedtour.com.
Following is a list of the new and returning attractions and tour partners for the 2016 run.
Featured Sponsors:
VANS:
Vans®, a VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC) brand, is the original action sports footwear, apparel and accessories brand. Vans authentic collections are sold globally in more than 75 countries through a network of subsidiaries, distributors and international offices. Vans also owns and operates nearly 600 retail locations around the world. The Vans brand promotes the action sports lifestyle, youth culture and creative self-expression through the support of athletes, musicians and artists and through progressive events and platforms such as the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing®, the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing, Vans Pool Party, Vans Custom Culture, Vans Warped Tour®, and Vans’ cultural hub and international music venue, the House of Vans.
www.vans.com
JOURNEYS:
Journeys is a leader in the teen specialty retail scene, with more than 800 stores in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. Journeys uses fashion savvy and merchandising science to keep in step with the fast-paced footwear and accessories market for 13- to 22-year-old guys and girls. Journeys offers a wide variety of trendy, relevant brands that cater to teens who seek the hottest, new styles. The Journeys store is more than a retail environment; it’s an extension of the teen lifestyle. From the plasma TVs playing exclusive content and the latest music videos, to the visual merchandising strategy and promotions, to the employees whose image and style reflect the customers’ lifestyle and attitude. In addition, Journeys reaches its customers through www.journeys.com, catalog, national advertising, strategic cross-promotions, social media and grass-roots events like national concert tours and the Vans Warped Tour. Journeys is, in every way, an attitude you can wear!
www.journeys.com
MONSTER ENERGY:
Most companies spend their money on ad agencies, TV commercials, radio spots and billboards to tell you how good their products are. At Monster Energy, we chose none of the above. Instead we support the scene, our bands, our athletes and our fans. We back athletes so they can make a career out of their passion. We promote concert tours, so our favorite bands can visit your hometown. We celebrate with our fans and riders by throwing parties and making the coolest events we can think of a reality. www.monsterenergy.com |www.facebook.com/monsterenergy
U.S. ARMY:
The Army is the largest military branch in the United States. Its job is to protect the country and its citizens. Working in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Defense, the Army trains and equips Soldiers and creates leaders among them to rapidly respond when they are called upon to serve our Nation. Army Musical Outreach is a team built to showcase how varied talents can serve in unexpected ways. Volunteering special skills and talents to a cause greater than oneself, including those in humanities, social sciences, and the creative arts, allows individuals to contribute to a greater whole. With the variety of backgrounds, passions, and talents, Vans Warped Tour is an ideal place to start new conversations and tell the Army Story – one note at a time. For more information about the U.S. Army, visit www.goarmy.com.
truth:
truth® is one of the most successful and one of the largest national youth tobacco prevention campaigns. The campaign exposes the tactics of the tobacco industry, the truth about addiction, and the health effects and social consequences of smoking. truth gives teens facts to make their own informed choices about tobacco use and inspires them to use their social influence and creativity in the fight against tobacco. The campaign is credited with preventing hundreds of thousands of teens from starting to smoke, and is working to make this the generation that ends smoking for good. To learn more, visitthetruth.com. truth is part of Truth Initiative, a national public health organization dedicated to achieving a culture where all youth and young adults reject tobacco. To learn more about Truth Initiative’s work speaking, seeking and spreading the truth about tobacco, visit truthinitiative.org.
FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY:
Full Sail University is an award-winning educational leader for those pursuing careers in the entertainment and media industry. Founded in 1979, Full Sail has been recognized as one of the 2016 “Top 25 Graduate & Undergraduate Schools to Study Game Design” by The Princeton Review, one of the Best Music Programs by Rolling Stone Magazine, and one of the Best Film Programs by UNleashed Magazine. Full Sail was named the 2014 “School/College of the Year” by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges, received the “21st Century Best Practices in Distance Learning Award” from the United States Distance Learning Association, and was recognized as one of the Top 100 Social Media Colleges by Studentadvisor.com.
Full Sail University is a Graduate and Undergraduate degree-granting institution offering on-campus and online degree programs in areas related to Art & Design, Business, Film & Television, Games, Media & Communications, Music & Recording, Sports, and Web & Technology. Full Sail graduate credits include work on OSCAR®, Emmy®, GRAMMY®, ADDY®, MTV Video Music Award, and Video Game Award nominated and winning projects.
fullsail.edu or www.twitter.com/fullsail and www.facebook.com/fullsailuniversity.
PETA2:
peta2 is the youth division of PETA. We reach out to people between the ages of 13 and 21 and are the world’s largest youth animal rights group, focusing on the four areas in which animals are abused the most—in the food industry, in the fashion trade, in experiments, and in entertainment. Our goal is to equip young people with all the information, literature, advice, and stickers that they need to get active for animals. peta2 was born in 2002 on the Vans Warped Tour, and ever since then, we’ve helped hundreds of thousands of young people get active for animals by doing things like petitioning to have vegan burgers added to their school cafeterias and getting dissection-choice policies passed. We’ve worked with everyone from Waka Flocka Flame and Rise Against to social media influencers Hayes Grier and Kalel. We’re also active on college campuses, working alongside more than 300 student organizations nationwide to raise awareness of animal rights. We’ll have a provocative interactive booth at Warped Tour all summer long, so be sure to swing by and check it out! In the meantime, hit us up (@peta2) on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
TWIX:
Twix®, part of the MARS brand portfolio, is a proud sponsor of the 2016 Vans Warped Tour. In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars’ first roots as a confectionery company. In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY® bar. In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of building a business based on the objective of creating a “mutuality of benefits for all stakeholders” – this objective serves as the foundation of Mars, Incorporated today. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $33 billion, six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience, and more than 75,000 Associates worldwide that are putting its Principles into action to make a difference for people and the planet through its performance.
For more information, please visit www.mars.com. Follow us:facebook.com/mars, twitter.com/marsglobal, youtube.com/mars,linkedin.com/company/mars.
www.twix.com
TROJAN CONDOMS:
www.trojancondoms.com
FUELED BY RAMEN:
Since its official inception in 1996, Fueled By Ramen Records has been less of a record label than it has been a brand for the ever-growing community that has embraced what the label stands for. The label has become the nucleus for today’s best and brightest bands and this summer we’ll be celebrating our 20th anniversary and staying cool at the Fueled By Ramen waterslide on the Vans Warped Tour. Come slip and slide into summer with us!www.fueledbyramen.com www.facebook.com/fueledbyramenwww.twitter.com/fueledbyramen
COOL GEAR:
Since 2000, Cool Gear International has brought a vibrant approach to hydration through patented innovation and unique on-trend design. Headquartered in Plymouth, Mass., Cool Gear continues to deliver high-quality every day solutions at a great value. To learn more about Cool Gear International, visit www.coolgearinc.com. Join the conversation on Facebook atfacebook.com/coolgearinc, on Twitter (@coolgearinc) and on Instagram@coolgearinc.
ERNIE BALL:
In 1962, veteran player and teacher Ernie Ball created Slinkys®, the iconic light gauge electric guitar strings widely revered by hundreds of guitar greats including Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Paul McCartney, Metallica, Brad Paisley, Slash, John Petrucci, The Edge and John Mayer. In addition to industry-standard strings, as well as hand-crafted high-end Music Man® guitars and basses, Ernie Ball Inc. offers state-of-the-art instrument accessories that are carried in more than 6,000 stores in the U.S. and 120 countries worldwide. The family-run company maintains its founder’s dedication to preserving the musician’s playing experience and delivering superior sound quality through the development of new products, such as Cobalt Slinkys, M-Steel, Earthwood and the revolutionary Element Shield Packaging, which hermetically seals guitar strings to keep each set as fresh as the day they were made. The company also fosters artist development through musician-focused programs such as the world’s largest and longest running Battle of the Bands, where unsigned bands compete each year for the chance to play live on national tours, festivals and events. Visit them online at www.ernieball.com andwww.music-man.com
DEPOP:
Depop is a worldwide social shopping app with over 3 million users, that allows people to sell any item by simply taking a photo of their product. Through Depop, anyone from around the world is able to shop some of the most exciting closets, including those of Chiara Ferragni of Blonde Salad, Aimee Song of Song of Style, Dita Von Teese, Leandra Medine of Man Repeller, Shea Marie of Peace Love Shea and thousands more. www.depop.com/en-us
THE ENTERTAINMENT INSTITUTE (TEI):
The Entertainment Institute (TEI) connects music fans with the artists and industry professionals who inspire them the most, both online and in person. This summer TEI is returning to the Vans Warped Tour to host their 40 minute backstage learning sessions each day. Whether via hosting Warped Tour learning sessions, curating panels at events like Launch Music Conference, or by fostering unique conversations online, TEI continues to develop innovative ways to connect their Gurus and their fans in interactive community-based ways. http://www.thinktei.com/
The VANS WARPED TOUR 2016 is also made possible through the additional support of the following:
(Sponsors) 247Ink Magazine, Absolute Intense Wrestling, Alexandria Bishop,Alternative Press, Atticus, Blackcraft, Cool Gear, Depop, Detroit Style Wrestling, The Entertainment Institute (TEI), Epitaph Records, Equal Vision,Ernie Ball, Fearless Records, Freelance Wrestling, Fueled By Ramen, Full Sail University, Fuse, Goldcoast Skateboards, Hohner Harmonicas, Hopeless Records, Idobi Radio, IndiMusicTV, Jeffree Star Cosmetics, Journeys, K-Array,Kaotica, KBB Records, last.FM, Lyft, Mamma Chia, Manic Panic, Mapex,Maruchan Ramen, Meinl, Metal Fortress, Monster Energy, Nuclear Blast,Orange Amps, Paqui, PRS Guitars, Pure Noise Records, Rise Above Fitness,Rise Records, Rock Star Dreams, Sharptone Records, Shell Cases,Sideonedummy Records, Sumerian Records, To Die For Clothing, The Tofurky Company, Trojan Condoms, Twix, the U.S. Army, Vans, VNUE and Violent Gentlemen.
(Non-Profit Partners) A Voice For The Innocent, Action for Animals, Can You Hear Me?, FARM, Feed Our Children Now!, HeartSupport, Hope For The Day,I Am Second, It’s On Us, Keep A Breast, MusiCares, Music Saves Lives, peta2,Skully Serves, STAPAW, The Canvas Foundation, truth, and To Write Love On Her Arms.
http://twitter.com/vanswarpedtour
All VANS WARPED TOUR 2016 dates/venues in between can be found on the itinerary included below.
6.22 ANCHORAGE, AK Road To Warped Tour
6.24 DALLAS, TX
6.25 SAN ANTONIO, TX
6.26 HOUSTON, TX
6.27 NEW ORLEANS, LA
6.29 NASHVILLE, TN
6.30 ATLANTA, GA
7.1 ST. PETERSBURG, FL
7.2 ORLANDO, FL
7.3 WEST PALM BEACH, FL
7.5 CHARLOTTE, NC
7.6 VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
7.7 SYRACUSE, NY
7.8 PHILADELPHIA, PA
7.9 NEW YORK, NY
7.10 HARTFORD, CT
7.11 SCRANTON, PA
7.13 BOSTON, MA
7.14 BUFFALO, NY
7.15 PITTSBURGH, PA
7.16 COLUMBIA, MD
7.17 HOLMDEL, NJ
7.19 INDIANAPOLIS, IN
7.20 CLEVELAND, OH
7.21 CINCINNATI, OH
7.22 DETROIT, MI
7.23 CHICAGO, IL
7.24 MINNEAPOLIS, MN
7.26 MILWAUKEE, WI
7.27 ST. LOUIS, MO
7.28 KANSAS CITY, KS
7.30 SALT LAKE CITY, UT
7.31 DENVER, CO
8.1 ALBUQUERQUE, NM
8.2 PHOENIX, AZ
8.5 SAN DIEGO, CA
8.6 SAN FRANCISCO, CA
8.7 LOS ANGELES, CA
8.9 LAS VEGAS, NV
8.11 BOISE, ID
8.12 SEATTLE, WA
8.13 PORTLAND, OR
About Vans Warped Tour
The Vans Warped Tour®, presented by Journeys®, is well known as America’s longest running touring music festival of the summer. Since 1995, the tour has been a showcase for both established and up and coming talent, across a wide range of eclectic sub-genres.
The tour has also cemented its place in history by bringing alternative rock and skate culture from the underground to the forefront of global youth culture, while at the same time helping those in need through non-profit and eco initiatives.
Alternative Press readers voted the Vans Warped Tour as the “Best Tour/Festival” and Rolling Stone called it “America’s Most Successful Festival”. Now in its 22nd year, the 41-date tour will commence June 24 in Dallas, TX and end on August 13 in Portland, OR.
For more information, check out vanswarpedtour.com!
Ouch That Hertz! 