What should I expect at Warped Tour? Just a few questions.?

Ah good 'ol super pages center.

I'll be at Dallas this year as well :-)

I go to about 10+ shows a year, however I still consider warped a lot different.

But here's how it generally works for Dallas.

You're going to want to get out to Dallas early, simply because of traffic and getting in line early. The earlier you are the better parking spot too. Parking has been around $15 but if you go through the back door (through Pennsylvania ave) early enough you can get it for free. I was able to do this last year with no problem.

Wear your toms,

Wear comfortable clothes cause it's going to be really hot, especially in the crowds.

Bring Sunglasses sun block,

Bring a hat if you'd like.

Also make sure your phone is fully charged as well.

Food at the venue is pricey. Drinks are $5, water bottles are $4.

When you get inside the venue get a map/layout from someone, they're usually handing them out or selling them as soon as you enter. You'll find that the entire tour grounds are expanded into a good portion of the parking lot. The area with the massive awning is where the nice restrooms and water fountains are located and usually held the Smarpunk stage and the Hurley.com stage.

Once you enter you should go to Giant inflatable that lists all the bands, the time they play, and the stage that they play at. This can also be a good rendezvous point if you get split up from friends.

Band T-shirts usually are $15, although the bigger bands may charge $20-$25, Bands typically sign/hang-out at their merch tent. Although sometimes sponsors have them sign at their bus/tents. Band members or merch guys can be seen walking around holding cardboard signs saying what time they sign or play, or the band will announce it on stage. Either way be prepared to wait a while!

Vans will have a few tents set up as well as Sponsors, record labels, some Rastafarians merchants, and indie clothing lines. Also keep a look out for contests ran by the sponsors for free stuff.

Water bottles are not a problem at SuperPages center. I mean, for one they sell them inside lol. They won't allow aluminum cans or glass containers. They will search your bag but just don't bring anything that obviously could be a potential hazard.

Feel free to ask me anymore questions, I feel confident about answering them all for you.

I posted the map with directions that I use every year getting there.

I hope this helps!

1.) Should I wear Toms?--I know they might come off and stuff but they're really comfortable and I don't really wanna get any of my other shoes all crapped up (I'm kind of a shoe addict haha)

Toms should be fine...if you don't love them too much. No flippy floppys or any shoes you really like.

2.) How much money should I bring?--I'm planning on buying quite a bit of merch. I just don't know how much merch usually runs for.

If you want to buy a lot then probably $100 to be safe. Food is also a expensive.

Hoodies: 30-40 dollars

Shirts: 15-20 dollars

CDs: 10-15 dollars

Posters: Free-10 dollars

3.) How early should I get there?--I live in Arlington (like 30 mins. away from Dallas) so distance really isn't an issue. Oh, and I got pre-sale tickets, which I know act as a jump-the-line pass.

10:00

4.) Where do I look for when&&where bands are signing?--Idk if it's a part of the big blow up with set times on it, or if it's posted at their tents.

They usually announce it or have it on a poster outside their merch tents or set.

5.) About how many bands will play on any one stage throughout the day?--For example, about how bands will play on the Glamour Kills stage throughout the day? Does that make sense?

Wikipedia this

6.) What kind of free stuff do you usually get?--Pretty self explanatory.

Condoms, stickers, CD samplers, flyers, posters...nothing amazing.

7.) Besides bands, what other tents will be set up this year?--Also self explanatory.

There might be some charity tents like PETA or music saves lives...not too sure. Also maybe tents for record labels.

8.) The Cab or Hey Monday?--For those of you who are fans of both bands, who should I choose if faced with the dilemma of having to choose between the two. Sorry for those of you who aren't fans, just had to get some opinions.

...no thank you.

9.) How much does food/water usually run for?

Expensive and not good. Food sucks. Like 4 bucks for something like a hot dog. 4 bucks for water too. Just eat a lot of breakfast and bring like a granola bar.

10.) What's the deal with the bottle caps?--I heard that some venue security takes up water bottle caps, is it true? If so, should I just bring some extras in my pocket or shoe?

Just put it in your shoe.

11.) I've heard alot of people say that they just bring in one factory-sealed water bottle and refill it throughout the day. Where do they refill it at?

Water fountains...maybe. Or those water cooler things you see at football practices.

...I will be going to warped, but I'm not stoked.

I like that you made an entire list! :] Anyway, my advice, is to dress comfortably, bring a lot of money. stuff there is pretty reasonable, but that means that you can get a lot of stuff. maybe a little less than 100 bucks. i would also get there early to scope out the sets, stages etc. check out the bands you wanna see, you can even do that before hand. just have a plan! Also, there are tons of video games, dj/dance booths. its awesome. tents are also where bands will hang out to meet and greet and sell merch. next, Hey Monday all the way. I love the cab's music just a tad better, but Hey Monday puts on a great show! and yeah they dont want too many alcohol related incidents and stuff like that and they dont want you to throw caps at the bands. its weird but i hang out at concert halls a lot lol, and as a musician, ill tell you nothing is worse than getting hit with crap while youre playing. finally, there are water stations EVERYWHERE! that way no one will die! :] Have fun. I live in CT and ive seen most of my favorites except for reel big fish but im busy when theyll be near me :[

1.) Should I wear Toms?

Yes. They don't look like they will be too easy to get off (not flip flops, and unless you are going with morons who would take and throw your shoes... :\ ) Plus you're right, you don't want to risk getting other ones you like better getting trashed and dirty. And comfort is pretty important given it is an all-day event.

2.) How much money should I bring?

Depending on how much merch and what kinds you want to get. Like some are expensive (Warped Tour hoodies are like $40) but T-shirts are around $15 or $20, it depends on what you plan to get, how many, what tent. HOWEVER, I do say that often they sell their CDs/EPs for a LOT cheaper there, like $5/EP or $10/CD. And it is always cool to make a dollar or two donation to get a poster or sticker. :P But keep in mind that if you bring too much you might have it stolen or get lost (my first Warped Tour I think $20 fell out of my pocket).

3.) How early should I get there?

Not too early. If you are good at finding the right line and finding where you are supposed to go, I wouldn't get there more than half an hour early, even getting there on time isn't so bad unless your favorite bands are playing first. It depends on if you are getting dropped off, or having to park, or anything like that.

4.) Where do I look for when&where bands are signing?

The big blow up area and the main tent by it (Vans or something) for signing are for big bands that you need passes for ahead of time, with a limit of around 200-300 people, that many passes given out, and they go fast, so any really super popular bands that might be at that main signing place you need to go to the tent with the passes directly or you won't get in on their signing. Otherwise, their merch tents will have signing times posted usually on a dry erase board, so find out what times signings will be at, if they are doing signings, and they will usually be at the tents at that time, but get there before then cause lines will generally be long for that. Lots of bands will say "after the set," meaning after they are done playing you go to the tent directly, quickly.

5.) About how many bands will play on any one stage throughout the day?

Well I know for mine it looks like up to ten. The big stages have 10 (the main stage, etc.) and others have a bit less than that but it varies.

6.) What kind of free stuff do you usually get?

Only what you seek out, pretty much, other than people handing out ads for upcoming shows and stuff like that. Going to people who are handing out stuff and tents that are not band tents can get you free condoms, free CDs, free DVDs, promotional stuff like that. There is typically an area of tents just of stuff like that.

7.) Besides bands, what other tents will be set up this year?

As I say above, ones like PETA, and record companies, and other ones promoting stuff, that will have free stuff, and contests, and email signup lists, stuff to attract your attention.

8.) The Cab or Hey Monday?

I like both around equally, but I would say Hey Monday personally, given that I have seen The Cab before and just seem to like Hey Monday's stuff the slightest bit more. But really, it will come down to competing set lists of times and stages, who will conflict with set times of other ones you want to see? Cause until the day of, you generally won't know who conflicts, and if they don't conflict with others or each other, why not both?

9.) How much does food/water usually run for?

A lot! Too much. Bring food, snacks, that are unopened and not going to spoil, crackers or fruit snacks or something. And you can either try bringing an unopened water bottle (which they may take the cap off of when you enter) or keep buying water or Gatorade throughout the day. But please, drink plenty of water! Stay hydrated, or it will end badly. Lines for food are typically long so yeah, you need to eat and drink enough, but be smart about it.

10.) What's the deal with the bottle caps?

Water bottles with caps and full of water can be dangerous and used as projectiles. Without the cap, the water or beverage will splash out when thrown. A full heavy water bottle with cap will definitely hurt someone if it is hurled by a moron.

11.) I've heard alot of people say that they just bring in one factory-sealed water bottle and refill it throughout the day. Where do they refill it at?

Often there are drinking fountains. I know the venue I go to have a few, if you walk a bit to get to them. And that's another smart thing, if you locate any drinking fountains, drink and refill from them as much as you can, that's always good to deter dehydration.

Any other questions or comments or discussion about Warped Tour, message me! :) Have fun and good luck!