"Hi."

The 14th annual Vans Warped Tour is right around the corner (it kicks off June 20), and as a veteran attender, I've compiled a list of things you will definitely need in order to survive an entire day of the festival!

1. Agility
The stages are going to be VERY far apart in some cases, and more often than not, each stage will be crowded depending on the band that is going to play there. Therefore, your agility can help get you from stage to stage quickly so you don't miss anything. If there happens to be a crowd bigger than you ever imagined, you can be sly like a fox and make your way nimbly through the crowd until you get to the front row. (Warning: I don't think I have to explain what it's like being in the front row of a huge crowd at Warped Tour, do I? Let's just say ... it can get dangerous! Don't attempt this if you are a first-timer.)




2. A snapshot of the timetable
Why will you need this? Because the schedule is insanity, it changes every day and you will need a snapshot of the timetable at EVERY SHOW in order to successfully see the bands you want. It lists the times and stage that each band will be playing and is usually posted centrally! Take a photo of this, because you will not have time to read the entire thing and write down each band individually. Take a photo and THEN when you do have time, write down the stages and times if you must. But, make sure your first stop is the timetable kids! Vital.



3. Purell and Kleenex (pocket-sized!)
Both of these items saved my life at Bamboozle. I feel they will do the same at Warped Tour, because things will get down and dirty. There will be sweaty people everywhere. I'm positive you will sit on the ground at some point, meaning you will touch it. When you have to eat something or drink something, you'll want sanitized hands. These two items also save your life at the portable bathrooms.




4. Have an idea of what bands you want to see.
If you go there with no plan in mind and decide to just "wing it," you'll miss a lot of stuff and end up kicking yourself at the end of the day! At least have a little bit of a plan worked out. Unless your plan is to hang under the trees with the rest of the hipsters for the whole day. Then, you're all set.




5. A backpack
People will be handing you shiz ALL DAY. Stickers, flyers, posters, CD samplers and all kinds of good stuff. I find it valuable to keep this stuff because you can go through it at home later and separate the gold from the coal. Collecting all that stuff is also a great way to discover some new music! (P.S. I really recommend the drawstring backpack because if the venue isn't allowing backpacks, you can easily hide this one in your pocket or bra or pant leg or wherever! ha ... not to mention they cost less than $5!)




6. Sunscreen!
It will be hot. You will not tan ... you will BURN. Be prepared. Your skin's safety is important at Warped, especially since it will be so hot that everyone will be in shorts and tank tops. (Sicknasty farmer's tans will be happening all over the place, btw, it cannot be avoided!)



7. Cell phone!
You can lose an entire group of friends at the blink of an eye due to the insane amount of people that will be there. If you need to find them, call them! Don't leave your phone at home, remember to charge it fully the night before. Just make sure you have it! Otherwise, make sure you guys set up a gameplan beforehand if you lose each other (i.e. "I will be watching Paramore at the Pepsi Stage at 6:45 ... see you there!"). Not to mention, you will DEFINITELY need to know what time it is throughout the day! Cell phones are great for that also. Otherwise, bring a watch!




8. Money $
HYDRATE and NOURISH!. A lot of the venues bitch and moan about letting in water bottles. If that's the case, have money ready to buy one once you get inside! Please note that it will be expensive. The good news is, there is a water truck for FREE REFILLS! Bad news ... the line will be insanely long. Luckily, at one of my dates last year there was a water slide with a hose. The guy was cool about letting people get some water for their empty bottles. Make sure you also buy some food when you feel hungry! It's important to nourish your body. You don't want to get weak and pass out, which can be highly likely in the environment of Warped. Not eating or not drinking water could be dangerous, so do it! Plus, you need money to buy MERCH and CDs!



9. Patience
If you have to do anything besides watch a band play (i.e. bathroom, buying merch or food, meet & greets etc.), there will be an insanely long line to do it. It doesn't even matter what it is, there will be a line. Be patient. Don't move and lose your spot because you will have to start all over again when you come back! The meet and greets will probably have the longest lines. Try not to skip the line unless you think you can actually get away with it!



10. Camera
Don't leave your camera at home! You'll want to leave Warped Tour with as many memories as possible, and the ones you can catch on film will last forever! Take photos with your friends, with your favorite bands, of the bands, of everything! If you don't have a digital camera, use your cell phone camera. If you don't have a cell phone camera or a digital camera, get in on your friends' photographs! Ha. Looking over all your crazy photos (and/or videos) from the day is an amazing way to end this event. :-)





Most of all, HAVE FUN! I hope this helps.

See you all on July 25 in Camden, New Jersey, and July 26 in Uniondale, New York!