Day two’s performances proved that Warped Tour isn’t just about aggression. Sophie Powers and Royal & the Serpent delivered two of the weekend’s most hyper-pop connective sets. Royal & the Serpent’s lead singer Ryan Santiago offered a darker, grittier version of the same vulnerability, her voice shaking with both power and authenticity. Between their sets, it became obvious that a new wave of alternative identity has arrived and the fans are here for it.
Sophie Powers
Even in the heat of late afternoon, 311 brought a breezy, sun-soaked energy that felt perfectly curated for Long Beach. Their fusion of alt-rock, reggae and rap created a welcome pocket of chill in the middle of the chaos. As they performed hits like “Amber” and “Down,” fans swayed, smiled and danced in a moment of communal ease amid the adrenaline displayed at the other stages. Whether punk, rock, ska or screamo is your thing, Warped had successfully managed to bring it all into a memorable night band by band.
311
Day two opened with the female-fronted Slaughterhouse, who proved that you don’t need a legacy to take over a stage. Their circle pits spun heads and bodies alike, and their control of the crowd felt instinctual.
Rise Against
The same could be said of Dropkick Murphys, who gave one of the most unapologetically political sets of the festival. At one point, lead vocalist Ken Casey introduced “First Class Loser,” a not so subtle dig at President Trump as loud visuals flashed behind them. But it wasn’t all rage. With “Red Tattoo” and their trademark Celtic instrumentation, they had the crowd on shoulders, spinning in pits while a skate ramp behind the stage roared with synchronized tricks. It was Warped’s punk ethos in full form: loud, sweaty, radical, fun, reminding us punk is political!
Dropkick Murphys
Nearby, Gogol Bordello took things even further into global punk chaos, leading a set that felt like a revolution parade containing costumes, dancing, accordion madness and the most carefree vibes all around.
Gogol Bordello
Warped Tour didn’t just celebrate the festival happening, they celebrated all who joined them! It’s not just for punks, emos or ska kids. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t belong and found music that told them otherwise. A place for pure unapologetic fun.
Vended
Whether you were skanking to Fishbone, throwing fists with Slaughter to Prevail, crying with Hawthorne Heights or dancing to Dropkick Murphys, you were part of something bigger, louder and absolutely crazier. See you next year Warped Tour!
Dropkick Murphys Setlist
The Boys Are Back
The State of Massachusetts
Who’ll Stand With Us?
Barroom Hero
Chesterfields & Aftershave
Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya
Skinhead on the MBTA
First Class Loser
Finnegan’s Wake
Rose Tattoo
I’m Shipping Up to Boston
The Big Man
All photos by Colin Hancock
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