Vans Warped Tour Tickets

What do you get when you combine extreme sports, over 100 bands and 46 cities for almost two months? The Vans Warped Tour 2009!

However, unlike the past years, the 2009 tour will condense the two main stages to one stage, and performance times will be extended from 30 to 40 minutes, but that's the only thing that's going to change.

As well as music, this tour brings a half pipe for skaters and bikers. There are also numerous booths where merchandise is sold. In addition, many of the bands retreat to their tents after their performance in order to meet up with fans and sign autographs.

Just a few of the bands to expect this year are Aiden, Bad Religion, Bayside, DOA, Flogging Molly, Chiodos, Meg and Dia, Scary Kids Scaring Kids and Silverstein.

Warped Tour began in 1995, and has been known to pack many bands into one show. In the mid-2000s, upwards of 100 bands would perform for about 30 minutes over 10 stages, and the biggest band would play at the main stages. The days began around 11 a.m. and would end at 9 p.m. with several bands playing at once. The tour began attracting bands with a skate punk sound, but has now moved into post-hardcore and pop punk. Shoe brand Vans sponsors the tour each year.

Kevin Lyman began the tour after working on skateboarding shows the combined music with the sport. The tour was successful, and within four years it became an international event - there were tours in Australia, Japan, Europe, Canada and the U.S. In addition to the music, Warped Tour includes half pipes for skaters and bikers, plus an open-air market where the band sell merchandise, non-profits show their stuff, and other merchandise.

The Warped Tour is known for supporting up-and-coming bands. Groups are able to expand their fan base, as well as attract new fans with their tents.