D.C. hasn’t always been on the top of my travel radar. But when Vans Warped Tour announced its comeback, offering the chance to step into the nostalgic chaos of a scene that raised me, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to head south of the border. 

Even though many music fans have been waiting years for the festival’s return, this particular weekend was nearly overshadowed by the chaos stirred up by the current president. His last minute Flag Day military parade and nationwide ICE raids have been casting a heavy shadow over communities across the country. And yet, even with all the tension in the air, the city’s shine didn’t fade. If anything, D.C. and its people showed their resilience in the face of these aggressive tirades. 

Before the weekend’s rain forecast hit, the city came out in full force on Friday evening for Jazz in the Garden at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. Local musician and artist Kyaira took over the outdoor stage, her vocals exuding warmth, power, and grace, as they floated over the crowd. Surrounded by stunning sculptures, a peaceful pond, picnic blankets, and pitchers of sangria, the energy felt like a collective exhale, a joyful summer evening among like-minded strangers. It was the kind of night that reminds you why music matters: it brings people together even when the world feels heavy.

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden — Constitution Ave. NW & 7th St. NW

As the clouds rolled in and the event wrapped early, I was thankful to be staying at The Westin DC Downtown, staying dry, well fed, and tucked away from the chaotic weather. The hotel’s in-house restaurant, Root & Vine, had everything I needed to reset, offering seasonal dishes, cozy lighting, and some of the best cocktails I’ve ever had. The restaurant also offered a to-go pre-made meal section, which I shamelessly frequented for the rest of the weekend. 

One of the perks of navigating D.C.? Public transit is incredibly easy to use and, surprisingly, feels very safe, something not every city can brag about. With some navigational help from the Citymapper app (and a few necessary detours thanks to you-know-who’s birthday celebration shutting down entire blocks), getting around was a breeze. 

Of course, the biggest part of RANGE’s D.C. experience, and the whole reason for this trip, was to celebrate the return of Vans Warped Tour. For anyone unfamiliar, Warped Tour was a travelling summer music festival created by Kevin Lyman and Ray Woodbury, running from 1995 to 2019. Known for its genre-spanning lineups (ska punk, alternative emo, hardcore, rap, pop punk, and more), it officially partnered with Vans in 1996, cementing a long-running relationship. After celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2019, the festival called it quits. That is, until October 2024, when Lyman announced Warped Tour’s long awaited comeback. 

Thanks to the team at Vector Management, RANGE got the full backstage experience on Saturday, tagging along with the legendary 3OH!3. If you weren’t screaming “I’m a vegetarian and I ain’t f***ing scared of him,” at the top of your lungs as a pre-teen, did you survive the 2010s? As a longtime fan, getting to be alongside the band in this capacity was a full-circle moment, and honestly, kind of surreal.

When I was 12, I’d watch shaky, low-quality Warped Tour videos on YouTube, desperate to be in the crowd someday. Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin, author of This Is Your Brain on Music, once wrote, “The music we love between the ages of 12 and 22 tends to stick with us more than at any other time in life. Our brains are going through massive rewiring then, and everything feels more meaningful.” As I was surrounded by the music that truly did raise me, this felt completely true.

Although they could have easily performed on the main stage, 3OH!3 hit the Ghost stage (the second largest of the day). The crowd packed in fast, and by the time they launched into their set, it was shoulder-to-shoulder. Watching thousands of people throw up the 3OH!3 hand sign felt oddly emotional, like a weird little community reunion. If there was ever any doubt, the pop-punk and indie sleaze revival is alive and well. 

Sean Foreman of 3OH!3 performing live at the Vans Warped Tour in Washington D.C. (Photo: Alec Pugliese)

Another highlight of the day was catching Sublime’s set. In recent years, the band’s been back on the road with Jakob Nowell, son of their late frontman Bradley Nowell, stepping into lead vocals. The vocal resemblance is uncanny, and Jakob’s stage presence carries a raw energy, tapping into something both nostalgic and newly exciting. 

As Saturday wrapped and another massive storm loomed (shoutout to D.C.’s dramatic weather patterns), there was one last stop to make: Lyman’s Tavern. Tagging along with a few members of Angel Du$t, I made my way into Columbia Heights and Petworth. Lyman’s is one of those low-key gems, with cheap drinks, pinball machines, and a jukebox. The bar felt cozy, with the perfect amount of dive bar grime. Swapping stories and beers with another band on the bill after a long overstimulating day was the perfect way to wrap things up.

Lyman’s Tavern — 3720 14th St. NW

Despite the whirlwind, this trip wasn’t just about festival chaos, it was also about digging into the city’s rich creative history. On Sunday morning, still foggy-brained from the night before, I made my way to the National Museum of American History. If you’re a music or film fanatic, it’s a must-see on your next D.C. trip. Some of the highlights were seeing Bootsy Collins’ Space Bass alongside his yellow-and-black leather costume, Louis Armstrong’s trumpet, and the Electronic Valve Instrument played by Marshall Allen of the Sun Ra Arkestra. I would have never guessed I would see such a rich treasure trove of musical artifacts all in one day. 

My next stop took me over to U Street, once known as “Black Broadway.” This vibrant area was a haven where African American culture thrived, a safe space during an era still run by Jim Crow laws. I went past the Lincoln Theatre and stood outside the historic Bohemian Caverns building, where legends like Duke Ellington and Miles Davis once played. D.C.’s music legacy is much deeper than I expected it to be, and it was truly an eye-opening experience. 

To wind things down, I wandered through the Union Market District, easily one of the most vibrant creative corners of the city. A standout for any music lover was SongByrd Music House, a cozy cafe and record store that doubles as a live music venue once the sun goes down. I’d heard the name before – friends of mine have played shows there while on tour, so it felt like one of those familiar places you’re excited to finally stumble across in real life. It’s the kind of spot that makes you want to grab a latte, flip through vinyl, and accidentally stay for a show. 

SongByrd Music House —540 Penn St. NE

I had every intention of doing just that, but in true chaotic fashion, the FOMO kicked in, leading me to make a last minute decision and head back to Vans Warped Tour to catch Angel Du$t. They were closing out the Eagle Stage (the smallest stage of the fest), but brought massive energy. Remember Trapped Under Ice, the legendary hardcore band from Baltimore? Angel Du$t is the brainchild of none other than TUI frontman Justice Tripp. 

Just as I arrived back at the festival grounds, another massive D.C. rainstorm rolled in. From the Eagle Stage’s backstage platform, I had the perfect view of Simple Plan lighting up the main stage while Angel Du$t ran through soundcheck. The turnout for Simple Plan’s set was wild, and way bigger than I expected it to be. Biggest surprise of the evening? When the band began to play “What’s New Scooby Doo?,” which is the last song I expected to hear. To close things out, they brought out members of Boys Like Girls, Bowling For Soup, We The Kings, and State Champs to perform one of their biggest hits, “I’m Just A Kid.” Peak Warped Tour energy, and completely unforgettable. 

And like always, once Angel Du$t hit that stage, they delivered an epic performance. Every member has their own signature performance style, and despite the downpour, and our aggressively persistent hangovers, they absolutely crushed it. One of my favourite parts of their set was the closing moment. During their song “Set Me Up,” Tripp hands off the mic to fans in the crowd, letting them sing their hearts out. It’s chaotic, beautiful, and incredibly fun. That kind of fan connection is rare, and they make it look effortless.

There was only one way to close out the Warped Tour weekend: running full speed through puddles to catch Avril Lavigne’s headlining set on the main stage. And it was everything! A full-blown nostalgia trip with surprise appearances from Simple Plan and even Avril’s ex-husband, Deryck Whibley of Sum 41. 

As my weekend in D.C. came to a close, I left Washington with a new appreciation for the city. Between my nostalgic festival experience and learning about the deep roots of local music history, D.C. proved it’s much more than a political capital, it’s also a place where music lives and breathes, uniting people even in frightening times. Despite the chaos taking place down the road, the city’s rhythm kept on moving forward. It reminded us that even in moments like this, connection and resilience matter more now than ever.