From Nova Twins to 3OH!3: The best moments of Vans Warped Tour D.C.

Washington D.C. came out in full force for the return of Vans Warped Tour this year. The festival featured performances across seven stages, showcasing punk, rock, metal, funk, alternative music, and more. With set times announced only the morning of gates opening, festivalgoers had to plan quickly and stay on their feet.

Hailing from London, England, the Nova Twins were featured on our artists to watch list heading into the weekend, and they were absolutely a favourite. The duo represented female empowerment, strength, and undeniable talent. They took the stage with their guitars, distinctive rock-inspired outfits, their drummer, and an energy that commanded the entire space. Their outfits were also self-designed. Their song “Cleopatra” showcased confidence through their vocals, stage presence, and lyrics like “I’m a samurai, warrior, fighter; I’m a boss bitch. I’m Cleopatra”. Closer to the end of their set, the Nova Twins shared, “Thank you for coming to join us and enduring the heat with us. Are you f**king ready?” Other crowd favourites included “Monsters,” and they closed their set with “Glory”.

Left: Faith Nguyen for Vans Warped Tour. Right: Matty Vogel for Vans Warped Tour. Cover image: Brian Rappaport for Vans Warped Tour.

Vana, whose bio on her Instagram reads “pretty metal,” came full force with the sass, confidence, and intensity that title promises. This was her first Vans Warped Tour, and she definitely made an entrance with fans already screaming along to her songs and people crowding the barricade before she even began to perform. Her bright red hair and high energy carried through songs like “Pray,” “BEG!,” “SERPENTINE,” and more. Her laced black rocker outfit matched her charisma throughout the entire set. Not only was she singing, but she also incorporated sharp dance and kick movements that kept the crowd engaged.

HUE performed on the main stage and then gave a second intimate performance at the unplugged stage. They were also winners of the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands, which earned them the opportunity to perform at Vans Warped Tour. HUE brought DC culture to the festival with rock, go-go, and funk rhythms. After the set, Quip had the chance to catch up with member AЯEJAY on their performance.

Orhun Uygur for Vans Warped Tour.

When asked what it felt like to bring DC culture to Vans Warped Tour, he shared, “It’s awesome. We’re authentically being ourselves, and we’re encouraging other people to authentically be themselves, and everybody’s like authentically being themselves together, enjoying it. That’s why I think it’s cool about our music, and like the DC flair that we have in our songs, like go-go and funk, it just feels good. It encourages everybody to participate.”

The takeaway that HUE wants for listeners is that “I want people to take away from our songs, from our show, from DC culture, the soul, the feel, the swing, the movement, and the swag. Just feel free to be yourself and put your own stank on it. That’s very much the HUE band experience.”

Gym Class Heroes was another memorable set to witness at Warped Tour. Songs like “Stereo Hearts” and “Cupid’s Chokehold” had the audience singing and swaying along from start to finish. Singer Travie McCoy invited the crowd to join him in a two-step in his set, and the crowd followed his movements. He brought his signature rap voice to the stage, and the crowd gave it right back to him.

3OH!3 by Jamal Eid for Vans Warped Tour

3OH!3 performed on Sunday, and they brought nostalgia, attitude, and energy that was unlike anything else at the festival. If anyone else remembers the iPod era, or even LimeWire, you most likely had a 3OH!3 song on your playlist from their debut album WANT. The whole crowd was screaming along to every lyric and jumping up and down, with endless crowd surfing throughout. Other songs that brought back memories were “My First Kiss,” “STARTSTRUKK,” and their recently viral single “RICHMAN“. They interacted with the crowd with comedic comments and repped Boulder, Colorado, proudly.

Their creative visuals also deserved a shoutout, in which they changed between a cabin theme, a “Welcome to Ballerado National Park” backdrop, their faces in a twilight setting, and more in true 3OH!3 personality. One of the most memorable moments came when Nathaniel Motte stopped to genuinely thank all the workers who made Vans Warped Tour happen, the backstage crew, and everyone involved. They ended with their famously known “Don’t Trust Me,” incorporating a breakdown section that had the entire crowd dancing and singing along.

Faith Nguyen for Vans Warped Tour.

Not only was there music, but nonprofit organisations ranging from PETA to Loyal to the Craft and more had booths where attendees could learn more and get involved. There were also artist merch tents with some of the artists present in their tents, meeting and greeting fans. Skate culture is huge within the Vans Warped Tour experience, and aside from the music, festivalgoers could watch performances featuring vert ramps, Nitro Circus, and skaters and BMX riders doing tricks throughout the day.

Vans Warped Tour is a festival that everyone should go to experience in their life. You get a mix of skate culture, rock, emo, punk, and an array of genres and bands to listen to and discover. Also, the nonstop crowd surfing and mosh pits added to the atmosphere. Some of the artists bring nostalgia with songs people have loved since they were younger, and this is also a setting for discovering new artists in the scene. Washington D.C. was a great kickoff to the Vans Warped Tour as it’s headed to Long Beach, CA; Montreal, QC; and more. The Warped Summer is just getting started.