Over the summer I had the opportunity to attend the Van's Warped Tour 2016 on behalf of my high school newspaper. I wrote this review in exchange for my tickets but was never able to publish it.

On the especially sunny morning of June 30th, Aaron’s Amphitheater opened its arms to the audiences of this year’s Vans Warped Tour. This year’s lineup consisting of Against the Current, Ballyhoo!, and We the Kings veered from the typical Atlanta music festival scene, opting for a less mainstream route. Mixed with Lakewood’s scandalous reputation for mischief and flamboyancy, Vans rowdy scene attracted audiences from all over the state.

Waking up that morning, even I found myself slightly ecstatic. My friend and I bounced through Lakewood’s daunting metal gates at about noon, unsure of what to expect. Looking around the venue, I couldn’t help but smile at the world of opportunity that lie ahead of me that day. Over the course of ten hours, more than thirty bands would take the stage and, before entering Lakewood, I could not even name one of them. Going into a music festival clueless served as both an advantage and a struggle. I was a tabula rasa, open to new experiences, music forms, and styles, yet slightly intimidated by the culture shock I put myself into.

Walking through the small village of tents advertising merchandise, bands, and sponsors, I thought to myself how the Vans Warped Tour was unlike any concert I had ever been to. My eyes stung from the lethal mix of cigarette and marijuana smoke wafting in the air, and my top clung to my chest as sweat pooled in every crevice of my body. Unlike a typical Lakewood concert, Vans is set up into five stages. The main stage, in the amphitheater, is divided into two while the other three stages are extended throughout what is typically the parking lot. Instead of cowboy boots and tailgating, there were three small black stages lifted about five feet from a relatively small crowd. Scattered amongst the stages were customized tents for each band where concertgoers could purchase merchandise, enjoy meet-and-greets, or attend a signing. Grabbing handfuls of stickers I proceeded to people watch and listen to a variety of scream/metal rock groups. The teen angst was palpable, setting the scene for crowds of tattoo endorsing, piercing enthusiasts with an overwhelming affection for the color black. Laughing to myself I proceeded to stand in on one of the sets, listening as the lead singer instructed the crowd to repeat a string of vulgar words.

I found it easy to lose myself in the midst of it all. Unlike a typical Atlanta concert Vans felt accepting, embracing all fashions, tastes, and styles. You could be anyone and nobody cared. I confidently sauntered to the back of the amphitheater and rest my head against the wall, trying to catch some shade in the 90-degree heat. The staggering heat had taken its toll on my optimistic outlook. By late afternoon I found myself dragging through the shows, spending more time coiled up under trees than lost in a mosh pit. When it finally came time to leave I decided that although Vans was not my typical music taste it was an extraordinary experience. For $50, Vans invites you to a whole new world within Atlanta. Even if you only go once, it is definitely a sight worth seeing. Next year’s lineup comes out in March. For more information, visit vanswarpedtour.com