Vans Warped Tour returns to Washington D.C. and here are some artists we can’t wait to see

Vans Warped Tour season is almost here. The legendary multi-city festival, which made its way across the U.S. and Canada from 1995 to 2019 and made a return in 2025, is hitting several cities this year, including Long Beach, Montreal, Mexico City, Orlando, and Washington, D.C. The nation’s capital gets two days of rock, punk, emo and more on June 13th and 14th at the RFK Stadium grounds. From nostalgic acts to exciting newer voices, the D.C. lineup includes a wide range of sounds and scenes. Here are the artists we’re most looking forward to.

Oxymorrons

Queens, New York’s Oxymorrons defy being put in a box, they pull from punk, hip-hop, metal, jazz, and beyond to create something entirely their own. The group includes vocalist Demi “Deee,” his brother and drummer Kami “KI,” drummer Matty Mayz, and vocalist/guitarist/bassist Jafe Paulino, and they carry the cultural richness of their Haitian, Dominican, and Jamaican roots into every performance. They’re the kind of band that represents New York with pride wherever they go, and their Warped Tour set is something to catch.

Nova Twins 

London rock duo Nova Twins, Georgia South and Amy Love, have been making waves since their self-titled debut EP in 2016, and some D.C. audiences got an early preview last year when they delivered a bass-heavy set at Tiny Desk. Since then, they have toured alongside Evanescence and earned fans in Elton John and Rage Against the Machine, and continued to use their platform to advocate for social justice. Nova Twins bring another level of talent that you must see.

3OH!3

If you had an iPod in 2008, you already know “DONTTRUSTME,” “STARSTRUKK,” and “My First Kiss.” The Boulder, Colorado duo built a fever dream of certified bangers that are just as relevant today. 3OH!3 are no strangers to Warped Tour, and they’ve graced the stages of Coachella and Reading & Leeds as well. This is a set built for crowd sing-alongs, and every song feels like a throwback worth revisiting.

Meet Me @ The Altar 

Meet Me @ The Altar is the pop-punk band the genre needed. Drummer Ada Juarez and lead vocalist Edith Victoria have crafted a sound built on sharp hooks, explosive riffs, and earworm melodies with a forward-facing punk attitude. They’ve earned major co-signs and shared stages with Green Day, and they’re heading into Warped Tour with real momentum: their new single “Strung Out” drops June 12th, just one day before the D.C. show.

HUE

Warped Tour made a point of spotlighting local talent by including HUE on the D.C. lineup, and it’s a well-deserved slot. The Washington, D.C. Battle of the Bands winners bring something truly unique to the festival: a special acoustic set that weaves together go-go, R&B, pop-punk, djent, and more. Formed by Alireza and Halluciniinja alongside drummer AreJay, a former RDGLDGRN touring member, the band has already performed at Afropunk Brooklyn, 6 Mafia in D.C., and NAMM. Their debut EP arrives May 29th, giving fans something new to dig into before the show.

VANA

New Zealand-based artist VANA blends alt-metal with electro-pop and trap-influenced production into a sound that feels genuinely singular. An outspoken advocate for female empowerment, mental health awareness, and LGBTQ+ visibility, she uses her platform to build a space where outsiders feel seen. Her debut album, due this fall, promises a dive into a dystopian fantasy world rooted in dark femininity, villainy, and the perspective of the misunderstood. Consider Warped Tour your introduction.

DC’s Warped Tour is a continuation of memories made throughout the years.  The lineup invites an array of bands and artists for the District that will have you feeling nostalgic or curious to find your new favourite band. This lineup has something for everyone. We hope a few of these artists make it onto your must-see list.

See the full lineup and buy tickets at vanswarpedtourdc.com.

Cover image: Nova Twins by Faye Strassle, Pukkelpop Belgium music festival.