We got Warped in Montreal by a weekend of emo indulgence, extreme sports, and all the songs we’ve loved since we were teenagers.

Warped Tour returned to Montreal for the first time in years, August 21–22, 2026, taking over Jean-Drapeau Park with a star-studded lineup and a healthy choice of local bands to discover as well. We covered the festival with our wonderful reporter Deviilbby, a longtime Warped Tour goer and contemporary Scene Queen.

So let’s get into it: what was Warped Tour actually like?

In terms of venue, this was one of our favourite Warped locations yet. We’ve been to Jean-Drapeau many times over the years, and even a few times this summer, but this has been the best layout configuration by far. Local bands played in the forested area, with the two main stages in their regular spot and two additional medium stages, cutting out the long passageway that usually leads to the two far stages. The skate ramp also perfectly framed the MainStage area, so you could watch your favourite bands while skaters and bikers flew through the air. Pretty magical!

There was also plenty of seating to chill in between sets, shade to escape the sun when we needed it, and some of the yummiest music festival food we’ve personally ever had. The whole space felt comfortable and easy to navigate, giving us plenty of opportunities to take a breather before diving back into the chaos.

The crowd was truly one of the highlights. The Warped crowd is like no other. For us, it felt like coming home: warm, welcoming, and full of people who immediately understood why we were all there. That feeling seemed to transcend the years since the festival last came through Montreal, even with so many newcomers experiencing it for the first time.

We had the opportunity to meet and interview some festival-goers and ask whether this was their first Warped Tour, and to our surprise, many of them said it was. A lot of people told us they had always wanted to go but never had the chance, and had started to fear they never would after Warped Tour as Montreal knew it ended in 2014. Yet here they were, finally getting their Warped moment.

Everyone we spoke to described that same inviting energy: a place full of people brought together for the same reason, eager to experience the bands that influenced them live and, maybe most importantly, to be transported back to the first time they heard those songs.

The flow felt comfortable, and the crowd was in good spirits. There was also a good amount of harm reduction in place. GRIP was on site, with everything from earplugs to collapsible water bottles to fidget spinners, all free. The Pit managers flew their flags high, bands called for the music to stop when people needed help, and people were generally kind. Brita was also omnipresent, with free water bottles and filtered water stations all over the festival grounds. There were shaded areas with different seating options, great local food and drink, and multiple merch tents throughout the festival.

The crowd was truly a mix of all ages, everyone from elder emos to baby goths, wearing their best band tees and decked-out fits. We were also able to meet quite a few of the mythical creatures of Warped Tour, including the Banana Man, Scooby-Doo, Jesus, and Waldo. Watch our video interviewing them here. Scooby faithfully led us into the pit at 3OH3!, and Jesus was kind enough to turn water into wine for everyone. We also caught glimpses of Daphne, Velma, a pickle, and more.

And then, of course, there were the bands.

No matter the size of the stage, weather conditions, time slot, or city, Oxymorrons, who have become quite the Warped Tour staple in recent years, brought their infectious and passionate energy once again to the Le Castor Stage on the first day of the weekend. Their set was a perfect reminder of what makes Warped so special: bands that can meet the crowd exactly where they’re at and turn a festival stage into a full-blown shared experience.

Behind the scenes at the media tent, we were able to interview The Ataris, Oxymorrons, and nothing, nowhere. by the beautiful waterfront. We chatted about musical influences, favourite hometown venues, and more, so keep an eye out for the video interviews coming soon!

“Do we have the most acoustic guitars at Warped Tour today? We’re still punk as fuck!” - Jimmy Eat World

While Jimmy Eat World probably did have the most acoustic guitars onstage, Simple Plan definitely had the most Scoobys, with over 40 of them onstage during their Scooby-Doo theme song. They also returned to their Québécois roots, speaking in franglais with a proper Québécois accent for most of their set.

Deviilbby after interviewing Mike from the Ataris & The Oxymorrons

If you wanna get in on the fun, Warped Tour continues September 12–13, 2026, in Mexico City. Stay tuned for more Also Cool coverage, and thanks again to the team for having us.

Deviilbby is an artist and digital content creator inspired by 2000s nostalgia, alternative music, and fashion.

Malaika is the Co-Founder & Creative Director of Also Cool. She is a Mexican-Canadian visual artist, DJ, and social media strategist currently based in Montreal.