It happened. Finally. After years of Kevin Lyman insisting the "traveling circus" model was dead and buried, the 30th-anniversary announcement hit like a ton of bricks. We aren’t getting a full cross-country summer trek, but the three-city blast is real. If you’re looking for the Warped Tour 2025 lineup Long Beach details, you probably already know that the Shoreline Waterfront is about to become a chaotic, sunscreen-scented time capsule on June 14 and 15.
It's weird.
For a decade, we all complained about the heat and the dust. Now, people are selling out tickets in minutes just to stand on asphalt again. But this isn't exactly the Warped you remember from 2004. There’s no inflatable schedule wall. There are no $45 tickets. It’s a different beast, even if the logos look the same.
Who is actually playing the Long Beach dates?
The lineup is a massive exercise in nostalgia-bait, and honestly, it’s working. They’ve managed to bridge the gap between the "MTV TRL" era of pop-punk and the "Neon Pop" era that dominated the late 2000s.
Leading the charge is A Day To Remember. It makes sense. They are the quintessential Warped band, perfectly blending the heavy breakdowns that moved the mosh pits with the pop choruses that kept the radio happy. Joining them at the top of the bill is The Offspring. Seeing Dexter Holland and Noodles back on a Warped stage feels like a fever dream, but it grounds the festival in its 90s roots.
Then you have the "Elder Emos" favorites. Simple Plan, Yellowcard, and The Used are all confirmed. If you didn't scream-sing along to "Ocean Avenue" or "The Anthem" in a parking lot twenty years ago, did you even live?
But wait. There’s more than just the legacy acts.
One of the coolest parts of the Warped Tour 2025 lineup Long Beach is the inclusion of bands that carry the torch today. We’re talking about Neck Deep, The Story So Far, and State Champs. These bands were kids in the crowd during the original run. Now they’re the ones keeping the genre alive. It feels full circle. You also have some heavier hitters like August Burns Red and Motionless In White to ensure the "heavy" side of the tour isn't forgotten.
It isn't just about the dudes, either. The lineup features L7, The Linda Lindas, and PVRIS. This diversity was always a core tenet of what Lyman tried to do, even if the "bro" culture sometimes overshadowed it in the mid-2000s.
Why the Shoreline Waterfront is a logistical nightmare (and why we love it)
Long Beach is a gorgeous spot. The ocean breeze helps. Sorta.
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The Shoreline Waterfront isn't your typical grassy festival grounds. It’s concrete. Lots of it. If you’ve ever been to a festival there, you know the "Long Beach leg" means your shins will be screaming by 4:00 PM. But there’s something about the urban backdrop and the proximity to the water that makes it feel like the quintessential SoCal punk show.
Usually, these big festival revivals like "When We Were Young" happen in Vegas. Vegas is a desert. Long Beach is a home game for the punk scene. The Warped Tour 2025 lineup Long Beach feels more authentic because it’s happening in the backyard where these bands started.
The ticket situation is... complicated
Let's be real. The prices aren't $25 anymore. We’re looking at hundreds of dollars for a weekend pass.
Is it worth it?
People are arguing about this all over Reddit and Discord. Some say it's a cash grab. Others say that considering most of these bands charge $60 for a club show, seeing 50 of them in two days is actually a bargain. It depends on how much you value your youth, I guess. The pre-sale was a bloodbath. If you missed out, you’re looking at the secondary market, which is—to put it mildly—grim.
The organizers have tried to implement some anti-scalping measures, but when demand is this high, the bots usually win. It’s the one part of the modern festival experience that makes everyone miss the "good old days" of buying a ticket at a local skate shop or a Journeys in the mall.
What most people get wrong about the 2025 revival
A lot of people think this is a "comeback" for a full tour. It’s not.
Kevin Lyman has been very vocal about the fact that the old model of 40+ dates on a bus is unsustainable. Gas prices, insurance, and the sheer physical toll on the crews make a traveling festival nearly impossible in 2026. This is a "special event" series. It’s a celebration.
Don't expect the DIY feel of the 90s. This is a high-production, Live Nation-backed operation. It’s going to be polished. It’s going to have better sound systems than the old "half-broken PA in the back of a semi-truck" days.
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Another misconception? That it’s only for 35-year-olds.
While the Warped Tour 2025 lineup Long Beach leans heavily on the classics, the crowd is going to be a mix. You’ve got the Gen X parents who were there in '95, the Millennials who lived for it in '05, and the Gen Z kids who discovered All Time Low on TikTok. That’s the magic of the genre. It refuses to die.
The bands you shouldn't skip (The "Undercard" Gems)
Look, everyone is going to crowd the main stage for A Day To Remember. That’s a given. But the soul of Warped was always the side stages.
- Hot Milk: They are explosive. Their live energy is exactly what the "new" pop-punk scene needed.
- Zebrahead: If they aren't on your radar, they should be. They’ve been doing this forever and they are still one of the funnest live bands on the planet.
- Scowl: If you want something aggressive and raw, Scowl is the move. They represent the hardcore crossover that made Warped feel dangerous and exciting.
- The Wonder Years: Dan "Soupy" Campbell is one of the best songwriters of our generation. Period. Seeing them in a festival setting is always an emotional experience.
These bands are the reason you show up at noon and stay until the sun goes down. If you just show up for the headliners, you’re doing it wrong. You're missing the point of the whole culture.
Survival tips for the Long Beach heat
It’s January as I’m writing this, but June in Long Beach is no joke. The marine layer usually burns off by 11:00 AM, and then it’s just you and the sun.
Hydration isn't optional. The "Water Stations" at the 30th Anniversary shows are supposedly going to be better than the old days, but bring a collapsible bottle. Most venues let you bring an empty one. Fill it up every chance you get.
Comfortable shoes are a requirement. Do not—I repeat, DO NOT—wear brand new Doc Martens. You will have blisters by the third set. Wear those beat-up Vans or some running shoes with actual arch support. Your 30-year-old knees will thank you later.
Sunscreen. Apply it. Reapply it. Then do it again. There is very little shade at the Shoreline Waterfront. If you don't want to look like a lobster by the time The Offspring hits the stage, take this seriously.
The impact of the 30th Anniversary
Warped Tour changed music history. It was the training ground for bands like Katy Perry, Paramore, and Eminem. Seeing it return for the Warped Tour 2025 lineup Long Beach feels like a validation of a scene that the "serious" music critics always tried to dismiss.
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It wasn't just about the music. It was about the non-profits. The "Reverse Daycare" for parents. The skate ramps. While we don't know if the half-pipes are coming back for 2025 (logistics are tough!), the spirit of community is what the organizers are trying to recapture.
They’ve partnered with various charities again, keeping that "punk rock with a purpose" vibe alive. That’s what separates Warped from a generic festival like Coachella. It always felt like it stood for something, even if that something was just "being a weird kid together."
The reality of the "Sold Out" status
If you don't have tickets yet, you’re in a tough spot. The Long Beach dates are officially sold out on the primary market.
What should you do?
First, check the official fan-to-fan resale platforms. Avoid the shady guys on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram DMs. If they ask for "Friends and Family" payment on PayPal, it’s a scam. Every single time. Stick to verified platforms where your purchase is protected.
Second, keep an eye on the official Warped Tour social media accounts. Sometimes they release a small batch of tickets closer to the event once they finalize the stage footprints and production layouts. It’s a long shot, but it happens.
Third, look into volunteering. Historically, Warped had "Work for a Ticket" programs. While it’s unclear if that’s happening for these anniversary shows, it’s worth digging into the official website’s FAQ section.
Moving forward: Your game plan
The Warped Tour 2025 lineup Long Beach is a once-in-a-decade (maybe longer) event. To make the most of it, you need to be prepared. This isn't a casual stroll in the park. It’s a marathon of high-energy sets and massive crowds.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Download the App: Once the official festival app drops, get it. It will have the real-time schedule. Remember, Warped tradition dictates that set times are random and change daily. You need to know who is playing when the moment you walk through the gates.
- Coordinate with your crew: Cell service at the Shoreline Waterfront is notoriously spotty when 30,000 people are trying to upload Instagram stories at once. Pick a "rally point" (like a specific landmark or a specific merch booth) where you’ll meet if you get separated.
- Budget for Merch: The merch lines are going to be insane. If there’s a specific 30th Anniversary shirt you want, go there FIRST. Do not wait until the end of the day, or you’ll be left with size Small or XXXL.
- Check the Bag Policy: This catches people every time. Most major festivals now require clear bags or very specific sizes. Check the Long Beach venue rules a week before the show to make sure you aren't hiking back to your car to drop off a backpack.
This is going to be a nostalgic, sweaty, loud, and beautiful weekend. Whether you're there for the circle pits or just to hear "The Middle" one more time with a crowd of thousands, enjoy it. These moments don't happen often anymore.