The Sparring – 2010 BBQ Band
KEEPING IT PUNK
In the US the tour is so popular that is has spawned a legion of “Warped Heads”, who follow the tour from city to city. Speaking on his most devoted fans, Lyman said:
“I try to get them involved as much as we can, keep an eye on them to make sure they keep out of trouble. A lot of time I’ve dealt with kids who follow the tour who’ve run out of money and have no way to get home.
“I figure it out, I call their parents — but I’ve given kids money so they can go home. Not that I want to make a habit out of it but I have when kids get really in a jam.”
This is a testament to the conscientious DIY attitude of the tour, a result of its punk roots. Although said roots may have been diluted in recent years, the tour still retains many hallmarks of the DIY spirit. For the past four years, the band Animo has been permitted a tour slot in exchange for work as stage crew, and every year there is a “BBQ Band” that prepares food for the other bands and crew members at the nightly barbecue. In exchange for their culinary services, the band is given a slot on the tour. Once upon a time, the honour of being the BBQ Band was bestowed on New England rockers Dropkick Murphys, who later found larger fame and Scorsese with I’m Shipping Up to Boston.
Non-musical attractions include a public half pipe for skaters and BMX bikers. There is also a makeshift flea market, with each band given their own merch tent as well as tents for indie record labels and magazine publishers, non-profit organisations and charities. The merch tents are often frequented by the bands themselves for meet and greets with the fans, an important factor in the popularity of the Warped Tour.
Lyman has also spearheaded a “Warped Recycling” initiative for recent Warped Tours to help get the rubbish left at the shows recycled. The attendee who brings the most trash to the recycling tent at any show is given a prize of $100 cash.
