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Countdown To Vans Warped Tour 2026 Long Beach – Part Two

Countdown To Vans Warped Tour 2026 Long Beach – Part Two

Countdown To Vans Warped Tour 2026 Long Beach – Part Two

The countdown to Vans Warped Tour Long Beach is officially underway, and the surge of anticipation building toward July 25 and 26 at the Shoreline Waterfront feels unmistakably electric. Part Two of this year’s feature captures four artists who each represent a different pulse of Warped’s legacy and its forward‑driving momentum.

From the enduring alt‑rock impact of Hoobastank—a band whose catalog still resonates across generations—to the emotionally charged, fan‑devoted storytelling of Mayday Parade, these conversations highlight artists who know exactly how to turn a festival stage into a communal release.

We also dive into the raw, shape‑shifting intensity of Lower Definition, a band whose long‑standing legacy and renewed momentum bring a fierce edge to the lineup. And rounding out the series is the fearless, high‑voltage energy of Stand Atlantic, whose rise has been fueled by unapologetic honesty and a sound built for massive outdoor crowds.

Together, these interviews form a vivid snapshot of what Warped Long Beach 2026 promises: nostalgia for the classics, discovery of new favorites, and the thrill of watching artists who thrive in the heat of summer and the roar of a shoreline crowd.

Hoobastank

Introduce yourself, what you do in the band, and where you are based out of?
My name is Doug Robb. I sing in the band Hoobastank. I would say the band is based out of LA and I’m based out of Agoura Hills, CA. 

What are you looking forward to the most about Vans Warped Tour Long Beach this year?
We were already looking forward to Warped Tour in general because it’s something we’ve wanted to do for so long. All the bands. All the vibes. It’s something that we feel we had missed out on earlier in our careers and now finally get to do. So all of that and now it’s in Long Beach which is essentially like a hometown show for us of sorts. It makes it all that much more special and exciting overall for us. 

What could one expect from your live show at Warped Tour?
We don’t really tailor our live show to fit specific festivals. We just enjoy ourselves, do what we do, and hope the crowd feels as happy as we do in the process. That being said, one could expect lots of singing along, sweating, bodies flying around and gratitude. Lots of gratitude. From us to the audience. 

What is the name of your latest or upcoming CD or EP and what inspired the title?
Our latest single, recently released and played live for the first time ever at Warped Tour in DC, is called HOW DO YOU SLEEP?. It’s part of a larger collection of songs we’ve recorded and will release. Not sure if it’s called an EP or album or whatever. There are still more songs yet to be recorded. So at some point, collectively, it could be called an album. The title of the song How Do You Sleep is just a question of conscience. There are too many people in the world who seemingly take pleasure in the tearing down of others. Celebrating while others suffer. It’s a question for them. What the fuck is wrong with you? 

Select two songs you may be playing in your set and what inspired the lyrics or what the song means to you.
Song one: “How Do You Sleep?” I’ve explained what the song means lyrically to me in the previous question but underneath that it’s also a plea for everyone to be more kind to each other.

Song two: “Out of Control.” Lyrically to me it’s about someone who had unquestionably devoted their lives to someone or something only to realize that it was all for nothing.  All the promises were empty. It’s a painful awakening. 

What is your favorite Warped Tour memory from the past?
Honestly, it’s recent. I have some pre-record deal Warped Tour memories from the late 90’s but they were easily overshadowed by my experience at Warped Tour DC earlier this summer. The sea of people. The sea of beach balls. The people singing. The smiles and tears. All of the love in the air. All of that was was more memorable and meaningful to me than my experiences in the late 90’s. 

What advice would you give someone attending Warped Tour for the very first time?
Plan out what bands you want to see but don’t skip out on bands on smaller stages that you may not have heard of. A lot of the coolest shit happens there. Lots of sunscreen, lots of water and let yourself go. Let yourself enjoy it all without fear of judgement. Let it all hang out so to speak. 

Any messages for your fans attending Warped this year?
Sorry it took us so long to play Warped Tour but better late than never.

Hoobastank on Instagram

Lower Definition

Introduce yourself, what you do in the band, and where you are based out of.
I’m Stefan Toler. I play bass in Lower Definition. I’m based in Los Angeles now, but I’m originally from San Diego.

What are you looking forward to the most about Vans Warped Tour Long Beach this year?
Getting to play alongside some of our favorite bands, like Glassjaw and Thrice. We’ve looked up to those bands for years, so it’s pretty surreal to be on the same lineup. I’m also excited to see so many familiar faces and meet fans who have been with us for a long time.

What could one expect from your live show at Warped Tour?
Expect a lot of energy. We’re bringing the pit, playing songs that people have been waiting to hear live again, and we might even have a special guest.

What is the name of your latest or upcoming CD or EP, and what inspired the title?
Our latest album is The Purpose Of The Moon. It’s about the idea that when life feels dark, even the smallest source of light: a match, the moon, or another person, can be enough to help you find hope and keep moving forward.

Select two songs you may be playing in your set and what inspired the lyrics or what the song means to you.
To Satellite” – It’s always been a fan favorite. The second that intro starts, you can feel the energy shift and everyone comes alive. To me, it’s a reminder that there isn’t a ceiling on what you’re capable of accomplishing if you’re willing to keep pushing.

Godmode” – This is one of the newer songs from The Purpose Of The Moon. We’re all punk rockers at heart, so it has that fast, aggressive energy that makes it a blast to play live. To me, it’s about pushing yourself beyond your limits and giving everything you’ve got.

What is your favorite Warped Tour memory from the past?
Back in 2006, we won the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands and got to play Warped Tour. It was a pivotal moment for Lower Definition and helped put us on the map. Coming back 20 years later and seeing people still connecting with our music is something we definitely don’t take for granted.

What advice would you give someone attending Warped Tour for the very first time?
Wear sunscreen, stay hydrated, and don’t be afraid to discover a band you’ve never heard before. Some of my favorite bands came from randomly walking over to a stage at Warped.

Any messages for your fans attending Warped this year?
Thank you for sticking with us through the years. We’re excited to see everyone, meet as many of you as we can, and put on a show you’ll remember. Come say hi, sing along, and we’ll see you in the pit.

Lower Definition on Instagram

Mayday Parade

Introduce yourself, what you do in the band, and where you are based out of?
My name is Jeremy, everyone calls me Cabby, and I’m based out of Detroit, Michigan, although I grew up in Tallahassee, Florida with the rest of the guys.

What are you looking forward to the most about Vans Warped Tour Long Beach this year?
Honestly, I know it will be a great show, and I’m excited for it, but I’m really looking forward to seeing some other bands I haven’t seen in a while and getting to reminisce with them about the old days of Warped.  

What could one expect from your live show at Warped Tour?
They can expect a lot of throw backs, a few new songs they may not have heard, and a lot of energy. I’m hoping the weather will be good, but I’m fearing it will be rather hot.

What is the name of your latest or upcoming CD or EP and what inspired the title?
The name of our upcoming record is Sugar, and it’s the last part of our trilogy of records that will be releasing pretty soon. The name of all three records were taken from a song title from one of Derek’s songs “sweet sad sugar”. I think the song title may have helped inspire us to do the trilogy in the first place after talking about the idea one night in the studio.

Select two songs you may be playing in your set and what inspired the lyrics or what the song means to you.
Jamie All Over” for sure, and that was a song Jason wrote about a dream he had traveling across the coast with a then girlfriend.  “By The Way” possibly, a song Derek wrote about going through his divorce.

What is your favorite Warped Tour memory from the past?
Setting up a black jack table every night behind our bus and getting other bands and crew to come gamble with us as the house. We earned the name Payday Parade lol, it makes it sound like we lost money, but I think we walked away ahead most nights.

What advice would you give someone attending Warped Tour for the very first time?
Drink lots of water, wear sunscreen, and be courteous to the people around you, everyone’s there to have fun so just enjoy yourself.

Any messages for your fans attending Warped this year?
Thank you, guys, for your support over the past twenty years, we would never have made it this far without you. Honestly, you guys are what makes this possible.

Mayday Parade on Instagram

Photo Credit: Nikki Haney

Stand Atlantic

Introduce yourself, what you do in the band, and where you are based out of?
Bonnie, I sing and play guitar in Stand Atlantic – based out of Sydney, Australia!

What are you looking forward to the most about Vans Warped Tour Long Beach this year?
Just simply getting to play Warped Tour finally. I know it’s not the same form as it used to be given that it’s not a full tour, but growing up we would watch YouTube videos of our favourite bands playing Warped and just dream of playing or getting to go. Then when we were first coming up as a band, Warped stopped existing, so we’re psyched we FINALLY get to do it!

What could one expect from your live show at Warped Tour?
Boob sweat.

What is the name of your latest or upcoming CD or EP and what inspired the title?
Our new record is called GODBREATH. I kinda just made up the term. I thought it was a pretty cool way to describe a feeling of something greater than yourself, feeling on top of the world in a genuine and uplifting kinda way – but also on the other end of the spectrum, seeing people in the world who go around talking like they are the shit when they’re not, like they OWN the world. The album reflects both of those sides to it in the lyrics, and I think, in my crumble opinion, it’s my favourite record we’ve ever done.

Select two songs you may be playing in your set and what inspired the lyrics or what the song means to you.
Velcro” – it’s about looooove oo la la. Cute song, cute vibes. This song means a lot to me personally coz it was the first time, and the catalyst that I just really leant into writing a genuine love song and stopped trying to ignore the fact that I was feeling something so positive.

Deathwish” – this song always just pops off live so it’s consistently fun to play and I’m excited to let her loose at Warped for the first time.

What is your favorite Warped Tour memory from the past?
Never been, so all my memories are from documentaries and YouTube videos that all mesh into one, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that seeing our friends from Australia rip up Warped for the first time made it feel so possible for bands like us to do the same.

What advice would you give someone attending Warped Tour for the very first time?
S u n s c r e e n PLEASE!!!! LOVE YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!

Any messages for your fans attending Warped this year?
SUNSCREEN AND WATER SUNSCREEN AND WATER SUNSCREEN AND WATER!!!!!!!!!! AND COME SEE OUR SET!!!!!!!!!

Stand Atlantic on Instagram

In Conclusion

Warped Long Beach is now just one week away, and the shoreline buzz is turning into full‑blown adrenaline. With Hoobastank, Mayday Parade, Lower Definition, and Stand Atlantic sharing their stories in our Countdown series, the picture of what July 25 and 26 will feel like becomes sharper—louder sing‑alongs, deeper nostalgia, and the thrill of discovering new favorites in real time. Each conversation adds another spark to the fuse leading straight to Shoreline Waterfront, where Warped’s legacy and its future collide in the summer heat. The countdown is nearly over, and the stages are almost ready to roar.

Vans Warped Tour Official Home Page