The much-anticipated return of Vans Warped Tour was met with equal parts enthusiasm and skepticism. Most were hopeful that the flagship festival’s return would signal a new era for a community forged from yearning and Monster Energy drinks. Some, however, were reserved; would the latest iteration of Warped Tour quench their caffeinated thirst? There was only one way to find out—by hitting the closed-off streets of Long Beach ourselves to experience the madness. Like the original Warped Tour, this one didn’t reveal set times until the morning of, on the iconic giant inflatable at the venue entrance. The first day included performances by 3Oh!3, A Day To Remember, and State Champs. Plus, tons of culture staples, like Jeffree Star Cosmetics, a skate ramp, and Record Label Row, adorned the festival grounds. There was so much to do, and only two days to see everything.

That didn’t stop me, though. I began my day checking into the backstage press lounge, high-fiving Mod Sun along the way. There were familiar faces around every corner of the grounds. Bands aren’t shy at Warped Tour. Instead, you can usually run into your favorite band members wandering around like regular, paid attendees. Kevin Lyman’s vision to blur the lines between artists and fans stayed true throughout the whole weekend. I caught a bunch of artists walking in the dense crowds instead of taking the easy route on golf carts. It was highly refreshing, especially as the scene renaissance created a visible divide between artists and fans. If anything, it appears that we needed Warped Tour’s return now more than ever.

The first artist I caught on Saturday was none other than Girlfriends, who were new to me. I was impressed by their set, despite not knowing their music. For most of the Saturday performances, I either stood in the back of the crowd or hung out in the VIP area. For my first two, I sat in the back, taking everything in. Though an early afternoon set, Girlfriends commanded a huge audience. Plenty of people packed around the Left & Right Foot stages, whether to specifically see Girlfriends or camp out for a nighttime headliner. Regardless, the support was felt all around. Warped Tour initially provided an outlet for music discovery, typically by these means. You would get to the parking lot early to see Gym Class Heroes at night, and leave as a fan of The Cab. This generation of fans got to experience that with Girlfriends, who were exhilarating from start to finish.

I checked out Mod Sun after, and though I’ve seen and met him at many an Emo Nite, I never caught a live performance until now. Mod Sun’s live energy is fascinating; he’s inspired heavily by pop-punk and emo culture…or else, he and I wouldn’t have crossed paths. However, the influence of hip hop and rap isn’t lost on him, either. He has an eclectic roster of collaborators as a producer, ranging from actress Bella Thorne to Avril Lavigne. This translates perfectly well in his live music. Surprisingly, my mom loves him; she’s a death metalhead to her core, with a few curveballs in her arsenal—Mod Sun among them. Finally witnessing him perform live gave me a deeper appreciation for his artistry. I finally understood the hype, beyond his charming BTS personality. What you see is what you get with Mod Sun!

Admittedly, I was stoked to see so much ska on the Warped lineup. It is a skate punk music festival, after all, and ska is integral to that culture. While I missed local (to me) heroes Dance Hall Crashers and LA’s Fishbone, I did catch Goldfinger and The Aquabats!. Perhaps it’s contentious to classify The Aquabats! as purely ska. Honestly, I don’t care; after seeing their live set, that’s a ska band, adorned with camp and political commentary. I’m so serious. The Aquabats! is really about the shit, even if their outer appearance seems silly or even outrageous. They put on a fantastic show. On the flip side, Goldfinger was predictably incredible. I’ve always admired that generation of ska music because of what it stands for. There’s a “ska more now than ever” sign at Gilman Street, and I had it in my mind’s eye throughout Goldfinger’s set.

State Champs had a similar effect on me that Mod Sun did. I spent a lot of time in the Los Angeles alternative scene, and would bump elbows with the group at parties or after their DJ sets. Seeing them perform a full-scale festival set was an entirely different ballgame. The band’s most recent self-titled record had already positioned me away from “casual listener” status. I’m confidently a State Champs fan at this point. Their stage presence filled the entire crowd with a buzz of electricity. That’s no small feat, as by the time they hit the stage, the viewing area had packed entirely. If they were nervous, you would never have known. State Champs sits at a fascinating position culturally. They are something of a crossroads between the old and the new. They helped carve out the OG scene, but they also found their place in the new wave.

I was on a mission this evening—I wanted to be up close and personal with 3Oh!3. I’d done it before so that I could do it again. Before the dynamic duo hit the stage, I caught Mom Jeans, whom I had also seen a few times prior. Their familiar and, again, local energy feels oddly nostalgic in the best way possible. Previously, I had seen them right before Say Anything, and the vibe matched completely. The thing that always blows my mind about Mom Jeans is their ability to connect with their audience even while commanding such huge stages. They are true performance artists, even if their classic Midwest (….CA….) emo sound is often a bit subdued. It is a fascinating conundrum to have a charismatic frontman who doesn’t have to rely on glittery techniques to put on a bold performance. I’m always glad to see Mom Jeans on a lineup.

Finally, the moment I had been waiting for…

I was curious to see what 3Oh!3 would do with their (admittedly predictable…with love…) festival set. I’d seen it four times in the past year already. I have free will and was using it accordingly; there is no world in which I do not go crazy for “Don’t Trust A Hoe.” However, I can acknowledge the repetition they’ve been grappling with lately. While it was still the same set, there were a few twists that made the show worth the wait. First, guest DJs T.J. Patrecca and Morgan Freed took the stage. It was like a cosmic blending of dynamic, chaotic, promising emo duos. Their vibes match perfectly well, and I wouldn’t be surprised if 3Oh!3 were being soft-launched into the Graveboy Records roster. Second, all of them were wearing customized Ed Hardy outfits thanks to their “new stylist,” according to Sean Forman. At first, I thought that was a bit, but I noticed Nathaniel Motte’s custom logo belt, which was tight AS HELL, by the way. Finally, the Warped Tour set stood out thanks to the performance of their new song, “Slushie” which warrants no crticism….it’s freaking 3Oh!3, of course they said that.

PLUS…the Casa Bonita visuals are incredible every time.

Video provided by Vans Warped Tour