Warped Tour returns to Las Cruces after three year hiatus

The Vanz Warped Tour returned to Las Cruces Tuesday after a three-year hiatus.

Tuesday’s festival, in which more than 60 bands played at the New Mexico State University Intramural fields, marked the 23rd year the iconic alternative music tour was held in the City of the Crosses.

“When they announced that they were coming back to Las Cruces, I was so excited,” said Sam Garcia, who has traveled to attend Warped Tour from Juarez for as long as he can remember.

Garcia said he enjoyed the cooler weather, even if it brought a bit of humidity. “We’ve always wanted to have a cloudy Warped Tour,” Garcia said.

Is there a Warped Tour look?

“Warped tour look man, I don’t think there is a warped tour look,” said Nick Hadsell, from Portland, Maine. “I think it’s just people who want to be here, want to experience the music. Whether you’re wearing a t-shirt and jeans or you’re just looking like some hooligan like i am.”

“I think the look for warped tour is mostly metal,” said Lindsey Marie Williams. “Anything metal is Warped Tour! You see a bunch of metal heads, you see emos, you see hipsters.”

Las Cruces resident Angel Armijo said Warped Tour is about universal acceptance. “I feel like Warped Tour is where all the people that don’t feel that they belong,” Armijo said. “When someone can just get out there and be expressive and be who they really are and not feel uncomfortable at any point.”

“The breeze feels nice, but is humid,” said Jake Bolander, from the Kansas City-based band, “Hello Tragedy.”

Bolander said this has been one of the more enjoyable stops on Warped Tour, especially because of the weather.

“This is actually beautiful,” said Tommy Traina, from New Jersey. “It’s been like 100 plus degrees, and I’m used to 40 degree weather.”

Las Cruces resident Jeremiah Casares said he would take his chances with the rain.

“I mean, if we get wet, we get wet!” Casares said.

Even with the previous night’s rains, the field did not appear to be muddy.