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.

Matty Vogel for Vans Warped Tour.

The post From Nova Twins to 3OH!3: The best moments of Vans Warped Tour D.C. appeared first on Quip Magazine.

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.

The post Vans Warped Tour returns to Washington D.C. and here are some artists we can’t wait to see appeared first on Quip Magazine.