Concert Review: Vans Warped Tour, Las Cruces, NM

By Desiree
July 4th, 2008

n. Warped - A mental or moral twist, aberration, or deviation.

This definition of the term “warped” undeniably describes the Vans Warped Tour experience.

While I was at the Warped Tour last week in Las Cruces, NM, I witnessed the good, the bad and the ugly. Perhaps I’m getting old, but I don’t understand many of the fashion trends of today’s teenagers. What’s with the skinny jeans on guys? Sure, maybe it’s the “rock star” look, but the part I don’t get is the 50 belts that are hanging off the jeans. Is it really necessary for that many belts to hold up a tight pair of pants? As my friend Kim and I walked to the New Mexico State University Intramural Field where the concert was held, this is the image we saw over and over. But you know what’s worse than tight jeans on boys? Standing in 90 degree heat seeing people dressed in black, baggy jeans, long-sleeved black shirts and black face paint. I got heat stroke just watching them walk around.

What’s also nauseating is watching thirteen-year-olds (who’re wearing braces) make out with each other. What wasn’t very nauseating was watching a guy being chased by the cops as his shorts were falling down. He fell in the mud and tried to crawl away as the cops handcuffed him. Quite humorous, I must say.

But enough of those people. They’re pleasant compared to the security personnel and the high prices for food and beverage. Water was three bucks a bottle and Powerade was four. If you tried to bring in your own sealed drinks, security made you dump them out before entering the venue. The Vans Warped Tour has been around for 14 years now… is it really going to hurt to let kids bring in their own water? I digress.

The Warped Tour did have its downfalls, but there were also a few good things that should be mentioned. There was a booth for breast cancer awareness with all of the proceeds going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. They sold bumper stickers for one dollar that read, “BOOBIES!” as well as wrist bands and t-shirts with the phrase “I Love Boobies.” These stickers and shirts are fun for everyone and the money goes towards a great cause.

There was also a Trojan condom booth. Next to the booth was a tunnel that lead to the “Scream Machine.” You’re not told what it is until you enter the tunnel, which makes kids curious. Once inside, you watch a short animated film with pigs riding a rollercoaster. It keeps viewers in the know about sexually transmitted infections (STIs). When the animation is over, viewers are rewarded with a Trojan condom. Not only is it a Trojan… it’s a Trojan Magnum. Great for the pre-teens? Humm…

Now onto the fun and away from the STIs.

There were some great bands on the bill this year. I had the opportunity to interview the band BANG! They’re somewhat like the street act Stomp. They were friendly, which is usually expected from an unknown band, but it was a fine experience.

As for Angels and Airwaves, that was a different story. For those of you who don’t know, A&A is Tom DeLonge’s band (former member of Blink-182). The band did a signing and I was dumb enough to stand in line for an hour and a half in the heat to wait for an autograph. I admit I only waited that long so I could meet Matt Wachter (former bassist for 30 Seconds to Mars). Yes, I like the melodies and lyrics of A&A, but when it comes to DeLonge singing live, he sounds like a dying frog.

When I finally got to the front of the line, not to my surprise, Wachter was the nicest guy of the bunch. Upon reaching DeLonge to have him sign the new A&A DVD, he asked me, “Why are you so mellow? Are you on drugs?” I responded with, “No, you’re a normal guy, should I be crying and freaking out like everyone else?” He then looked at me like he had never been spoken to that way from a fan in his life. Out of all the musicians I’ve ever met, he’s been the most egotistical. And again, he doesn’t even deserve to be egotistical being that he isn’t the best live singer.

If you attend the Warped Tour, be sure to check out the bands Anberlin, Against Me! and the Horrorpops. I promise you not all of the bands sound as bad as DeLonge. The rest of the bands are quite enjoyable. Oh, and always support the small bands. They need love just like we do.

You may not have the same experiences as Kim and I did, but you’ll probably be in for some kind of treat. If you do go, be sure to wear your sunscreen. The sun is killer.