Also Cool's Vans Warped Tour 2026 Top Picks: Oxymorrons, From First to Last, Sace6 And More
After its widely anticipated and successful return in 2025, the Vans Warped Tour is hitting five cities in 2026 (Washington, Long Beach, Montreal, Mexico City and Orlando) with one of the most impressive lineups of the year. Of the many subgenres to emerge from the alternative music scene over the last 31 years, Warped Tour has played a huge role in the history of most of this year's lineup. From OG punk to new, experimental blends of punk, to classic emo, screamo, and even the polarizing genre of crunkcore: these are five can’t miss bands for Warped Tour’s first stop in Washington D.C. June 13th and 14th.
Oxymorrons via official website
Oxymorrons
While they never toured a full summer with the original Warped Tour, Oxymorrons made their mark in Atlantic City in 2019, and have grown to become a staple in the Warped family since. Their blend of hip-hop and punk is guaranteed to get you off your feet… or even into the pit. Founded by brothers Demi “Deee” and Kami “KI” and joined by guitarist/bassist Jafé Paulino and new drummer Amani Drums, the band’s intoxicating passion for their craft radiates from the stage, with a confidence that seems to grow each year of the festival.
Suicidal Tendencies via The Rockpit
Suicidal Tendencies
Returning to the lineup for the first time since 1999, this legendary hardcore punk band, founded in the early 1980s, will be hitting the stage exclusively at Warped Tour’s D.C. stop. While the band has seen quite a few lineup changes since its founding in 1983, founding member Mike Muir is still fronting the band, accompanied by Ben Weinman of Dillinger Escape Plan, Tye Trujillo (original member and bassist of Metallica; Robert Trujillo’s son), and Drummer Jay Weinberg. Best known for their blend of metal with thrash and skate punk makes their sound the perfect embodiment of the Warped Tour summer vibe and a can’t miss set this June.
From First to Last via official Facebook page
From First to Last
If you found yourself in an emo phase in the early 2000s, you may remember songs like “Emily” or “Note to Self” by the band From First to Last. You may even recognize the band from its role in the early music career of Skrillex, formally known as Sonny Moore AKA vocalist of From First to Last. Now with a lineup consisting of original members Matt Good as lead vocalist, guitarist Travis Richter, drummer Derek Bloom and bassist Matt Manning—the same lineup that hit the Warped Tour stages in 2008—this post-hardcore emo staple will be joining Warped Tour for all US stops, 18 years later. This is an unmissable band for elder emos looking to feel like they’ve time traveled back to ‘08.
I Set My Friends on Fire via official Facebook page
I Set My Friends on Fire
If your nostalgia for the OG Warped Tour days lies more with teased neon hair and brightly colored tees and skinny jeans and surfing through MySpace, you may remember the crunkcore band I Set My Friends on Fire. Arguably, one of the more commonly accepted bands to come from the crunkcore era, blending electronica and screamo, and leaning more towards post-hardcore than their other crunk counterparts. Considering the band is playing alongside groups like Breathe Carolina and 3oh!3, and still led by founding member Matt Mehana, it just might be 2009 again.
Sace6
By far one of the newest bands on the scene to be mentioned in this list, Sace6 took to the Warped Tour stage for the first time in 2025. The band left a last mark with their unique alt-metal sound; a captivating blend of heavy breakdowns and riffs from guitarist Noah Thomas and drummer Tyler Saxz, with frontman Sace’s ethereal vocals. What they may lack in the heavy nostalgia factor they more than make up for in pure, undeniable talent and surely draw you in when you catch them this summer.
Deviilbby
Deviilbby is an artist and digital content creator inspired by 2000s nostalgia, alternative music, and fashion.
