LONG BEACH, Calif. — The eagerly anticipated 2026 lineup for Warped Tour was released with a number of the band names redacted to protect victims, to the chagrin of fans.
“None of these matters have been taken lightly,” said tour organizer Kevin Lyman. “The reason some names have been expunged is to protect the identities of bands that still play the Warped Tour as well as fans who have fallen prey to cancelled pop punk and emo frontmen. Historians allege that Warped Tour began as a ‘punk rock’ touring festival, later evolving into a global pedophile ring for scene bands with cheap eyeliner. But I assure you that exclusion of a band name does not constitute wrongdoing. We’re just trying to protect everyone involved.”
Warped Tour fans were hoping to see some much bigger names on the newly released bill and are demanding justice.
“Growing up, Warped Tour was about seeing guys with bedhead and Manic Panic hair dye enter their phone numbers into a Nokia flip phone belonging to a girl with acne and braces before going back on the road to fulfill their obligations as regional opener for the Glamour Kills stage,” said longtime ticket holder Mark Renault. “Withholding these names is disappointing for me as a fan who needs to know the truth behind the tour, no matter who gets taken down as a result.”
When asked how many bands they have confirmed, a spokesman assured the public that they are “making a nothing burger out of all of this.”
“You sit here, and you attack the Warped Tour, and I am not going to have it. None of you ask about Dahvie Vanity from Blood on the Dance Floor before. You know why? Because Kevin Lyman,” Chris Fronzak began to trail off before trying to change the subject. “Local families have demanded that the names be released so they can be on the lookout for nearby all-ages club shows. But I’m sorry, you’ll just have to buy tickets if you want to see who’s playing.”
At press time, Warped Tour organizers denied the rumors that Bill Clinton and Bill Gates were on the festival lineup.
