WARPED TOUR 15TH ANNIVERSARY MOVIE PREMIERES IN 450 THEATERS

Kevin Lyman discusses choosing the lineup for the 15th Anniversary movie and the logistics in getting it premiered in over 450 theaters nation wide.

The Vans Warped Tour is celebrating 15 years as the most successful touring festival and what better way to bring the celebration to their fans than with the movie premiere of the 15th Anniversary Bash. Tour founder Kevin Lyman brought together a diverse lineup of bands for the party with performances from 3OH!3, The Aggrolites, All-American Rejects, Bad Religion, blink-182 by video, The Decaydance All Stars, Ice T, Katy Perry, NoFX, Ozomatli, Pennywise, Rise Against and Underoath for the party that took place September 6th at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, Ca.

Artisan News caught up with Kevin Lyman to get his thoughts on putting together the lineup for the 15th Anniversary and why he chose bands that had a legacy and history on The Warped Tour.

“It was a natural mix of bands with a legacy and history on the tour. Bands that supported me, of course I would ask first. I asked people like Bad Religon, NoFx and Pennywise to come down and be a part of the show. And then unique things, Ice T I hadn’t talked to in a long time. So I just sent an email and he said ‘Absolutely!’ He had juggled his NBC schedule for filming to do this. Katy Perry went out of her way to get here. A lot of people went out of their way to do things that couldn’t be here but they’ll be in the film. Like 3Oh!3, we filmed with them and Blink 182 has really been bending over backwards. Especially in a hard time with what they’re going through with DJ AM’s loss and Travis. So, to do some stuff for the movie and then people started calling the last two weeks and asking ‘Can we get on? Can we get on?’ I just kind of ran out of time and room.”

The Warped Tour 15th Anniversary movie premiere, which is being presented by NCM Fathom and 4Fini, will be featured in a one-night-only special theatrical event happening Thursday, September 17th nationwide at over 450 theaters around the country. Kevin Lyman also shared his thoughts on what a daunting task it is to get the 15th Anniversary filmed, edited and sent out in a short amount of time.

“Fathom events, who does this is doing these limitied one night only shows and I know they’ve done lecture series with Larry King and some of these people. I think this is a pretty daunting event that we have to get this thing turned around. So everyone has to walk around and in 24 hours come back with the songs and we have to edit it and deliver it next Monday to be able to be in the theaters Thursday.”

The Warped Tour is well established as America’s longest-running and most successful touring rnfestival, breaking up-and-coming indie talent as well as showcasing established artists since 1995. It has cemented its place in history by playing a major role in bringing punk-rock/skate/action sports culture from the underground to the forefront of American youth culture, while at the same time creating awareness and taking action towards environmental and causes and helping those in need.

For tickets, go to www.warpedtour.com or www.fathomevents.com and enter in your zip code to find the closest movie theater in their area.