The Vans Warped Tour ~ 15th Anniversary Celebration

The Vans Warped Tour ~ 15th Anniversary Celebration
September 6, 2009 Club Nokia Los Angeles, California USA
review by R. Dale Roth 2025-03-12
***
On September 6, 2009, Club Nokia in Los Angeles hosted the Vans Warped Tour's 15th Anniversary Celebration, a significant event marking 15 years of the iconic touring festival.

The concert showcased a rich tapestry of musical styles, reflecting the Warped Tour's evolution from a punk rock focus to embracing diverse genres. The lineup included:

3OH!3: Pop rock and electronic, known for their energetic live shows.

The Aggrolites: Reggae, offering a laid-back vibe.

Decaydance All Stars: Pop-punk, featuring artists from the Decaydance label.

Underoath: Christian metalcore, bringing intensity.

The All-American Rejects: Pop rock, with polished performances.

Bad Religion: Punk rock, a foundational band of the tour.

Ice-T (with Body Count): Rap metal, delivering raw energy.

Rise Against: Punk rock with political themes, engaging audiences with their lyrics.

Ozomatli: Latin rock, funk, and hip hop, adding diversity.

NOFX: Punk rock, known for humor and satire.

Pennywise: Punk rock, iconic for "Bro. hymn."

blink-182: Pop-punk, represented by a video performance due to their absence live.

This mix created an atmosphere that was both energetic and nostalgic, appealing to long-time fans and newcomers alike.

Each band's stage presence varied, contributing to the concert's dynamic flow. The Aggrolites set a relaxed tone with their reggae rhythms, encouraging swaying and nodding from the crowd. 3OH!3's electronic pop had the audience jumping, showcasing their high-energy delivery. Ice-T and Body Count brought intensity, with Ice-T's commanding presence noted in reviews. NOFX's humorous antics, led by Fat Mike, blended laughter with headbanging, while The All-American Rejects' polished set and Tyler's charisma kept the crowd captivated. Decaydance All Stars' cover of "Dammit" was nostalgic, evoking smiles. Underoath's metalcore set was electrifying, with heavy riffs and vocals, and Rise Against's politically charged performance had the audience singing along passionately. Bad Religion's timeless sound and Greg Graffin's vocals were a reminder of their legacy, and Ozomatli's eclectic mix had the crowd dancing. The communal performance of "Bro. hymn" by all bands, led by Pennywise, was a unifying moment.

Given the bands' established reputations, the performances were likely of high quality. The film's high-definition capture, suggests excellent sound quality, with each band's vocals and instrumentals shining. NOFX's tight musicianship, Underoath's blistering riffs, and Rise Against's powerful delivery were standout, though the indoor setting with a smaller crowd, might have felt less energetic than outdoor festivals. However, the intimate atmosphere allowed for a closer connection, enhancing the overall experience.

The indoor setting at Club Nokia, a theater, provided a more traditional stage setup compared to outdoor festivals. The film's production, shot in multi-camera HD, ensured impressive lighting and sound quality. Dynamic lights and clear audio enhanced each performance, with the intimate venue fostering a personal connection.

The Vans Warped Tour's 15th Anniversary Celebration was a testament to the festival's legacy, bringing together a diverse lineup that spanned genres and generations. The intimate indoor setting at Club Nokia, combined with high-quality production, created a memorable experience for attendees, with standout performances and a communal finale that encapsulated the tour's spirit. For fans, it was a night of nostalgia, energy, and celebration.

Song by song:

01. “What a Complex” - The Aggrolites: Known for their "dirty reggae" sound, likely opened the concert with a relaxed and soulful performance of "What a Complex" from their 2009 album 'IV'. This song, with its laid-back rhythms, would have provided a contrast to the rock and pop-punk dominated lineup, offering the audience a moment to sway and nod along. Their stage presence was probably cool and confident, fitting their genre, though some reviews suggest it might not have fully excited the rock-loving crowd.

02. “Starstrukk” - 3OH3!: A high-energy performance of "Starstrukk," a hit from their album 'Want'. The song's catchy beats and lyrics likely had the audience jumping and singing along, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Their interactive stage presence, encouraging crowd participation, would have blended modern pop seamlessly with the festival's rock roots, making it a memorable moment.

03. “Body Count’s in the House” - Body Count & Ice-T: A song asserting their enduring presence, from their 1994 album 'Born Dead'. Ice-T's commanding vocals and the band's intense instrumentals likely electrified the crowd, with the audience possibly moshing or headbanging to the heavy rhythms. Their powerful stage presence would have added to the concert's rebellious and energetic spirit.

04. “Cop Killer” - Body Count & Ice-T: Known for their rap metal sound, the duo delivered a provocative performance of "Cop Killer" from their 1992 debut album. The song's controversial lyrics about police violence likely stirred strong emotions, with Ice-T's commanding stage presence adding intensity. It seems likely the audience was highly engaged, possibly moshing or headbanging, given the song's rebellious spirit, fitting the Warped Tour's edgy vibe.

05. “Eat the Meek” - NOFX: A satirical track from their 1997 album 'So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes,' featuring a trumpet intro. Their fast-paced delivery and humorous lyrics probably had fans singing along, creating a lively atmosphere. The band's rebellious stage presence likely resonated with the crowd, enhancing the concert's nostalgic feel.

06. “Move Along” - The All-American Rejects: A polished pop rock performance of "Move Along," a hit from their 2005 album. Their charismatic stage presence and catchy hooks likely had the audience singing every word, fostering a unifying moment. It seems likely their set was a highlight, blending seamlessly with the diverse lineup and appealing to pop rock fans.

07. “Damnit” - Decaydance All Stars: A fun and energetic cover of "Dammit," a classic pop-punk track, to the stage. Their performance was likely filled with nostalgia and high energy, with the audience singing and dancing along to every word, enhancing the celebratory mood.

08. “Rock Show” - blink-182: Instead of a live performance, blink-182's music video for "Rock Show" was shown, providing a visual treat for fans. This unexpected choice maintained the band's presence through their iconic visuals, with the audience likely singing along to the familiar pop-punk hit.

09. “In Regards to Myself” - Underoath: Underoath delivered an intense metalcore performance of "In Regard To Myself," with powerful riffs and emotional vocals that captivated the audience. The crowd responded with headbanging and enthusiastic singing, creating a memorable moment of unity through music.

10. “The Good Left Undone” - Rise Against: Rise Against delivered a spot-on performance during their concise four-song set, with "The Good Left Undone" standing out as a highlight. The band's energy and precision resonated with the audience, showcasing their signature blend of melodic hardcore and socially conscious lyrics

11. “Saturday Night” - Ozomatli: Ozomatli brought their eclectic fusion of Latin, hip-hop, and rock to the stage with "Saturday Night." Their performance infused the event with a vibrant, danceable rhythm, reflecting the band's commitment to blending diverse musical styles and cultures. While specific details about this particular performance are scarce, Ozomatli's reputation for lively shows suggests it was a dynamic addition to the celebration.

12. “New Dark Ages” - Bad Religion: Bad Religion's performance of "New Dark Ages" showcased their enduring influence in the punk rock scene. The song's critical lyrics and fast-paced tempo were delivered with the band's characteristic intensity, reaffirming their status as punk stalwarts. Although detailed accounts of this specific performance are limited, Bad Religion's consistent live energy likely made it a memorable moment.

13. “Bro Hymn” - Pennywise: Pennywise closed their set with "Bro Hymn," a song that has become an anthem within the punk community. Known for its sing-along chorus and tribute to fallen friends, the performance likely fostered a strong sense of camaraderie among attendees. While specific reviews of this rendition are not readily available, the song's traditional role as a set-closer suggests it was a unifying and emotional experience for the crowd.

What was your favorite performance?

Comments 🗨️ Likes 👍 Shares 🔄 & Regular Viewers 🔔 are Appreciated 🙏

Enjoy more FREE Great Live Concerts @ StaticContentCreations.com

ᵗᑋᵃᐢᵏ ᵞᵒᵘ* for watching & reading 👀
Peace 🕊️ Love ❤️ Light ☀️ Life 🧬
D🎧R