Well that’s a wrap on Van’s Warped Tour Washington D.C. 2026. It was another year of so many incredible sets from both new bands and veteran bands in the scene. With 6 stages and 3 acts going at all times, it was impossible to see every set on your must-see list.

With all that in mind, I managed to catch close to 20 sets over the course of the two days. I managed to narrow it down to my top ten sets of the weekend. Though, it was incredibly difficult. I could swap pretty much any set on this list, for another set. So, this is my current top 10, ask me again in a week it may change. Every single performance I watched this year was incredible, even when it was the middle of the afternoon with peak heat and everyone was trying to fight off heatstroke. 

So, which sets were my top ten of the weekend?

10. People R Ugly

What else can I say other than matching colored outfits and overall fun vibes? This is the third time I have seen these boys and I just smile the whole time every time. They have such high energy and joke around the whole time they are on stage. They do not put on a fake act of this super serious band. I mean, what other band brings up the song a member wrote about getting circumcised in his twenties but doesn’t actually play it? Extra points for the lead singer Zak Dossi crowdsurfing the crowd at the end of the set. Double extra points for wearing the full green jumpsuit in the 90 degree heat.

9. The Paradox

Bringing out Reckless Ben to announce the new religion of the “Church of Bassology” gets you a spot on the list with no questions asked. I mean, that is iconic. Plus, The Paradox is one everyone needs to be watching. They have yet to put out an album but they are drawing in a large crowd and growing a following. Their classic pop-punk sound is nostalgic but still brings their own take. The high energy guitar riffs and catchy choruses are made to be the next staple pop-punk act. 

8. Caskets

A British rock band, need I say more? Seriously, I have loved this band for the last three years and was so excited to finally get to see them again. Vocalist Matt Flood sounded absolutely incredible. He got the crowd going from the minute he stepped on stage. The lyrics of the band’s song are full of emotion, and he released those in his live vocal. Several times, his face even looked like he was in disbelief and awe of the crowd they drew in for their set. The energy of the crowd was also crazy. Everyone was screaming the lyrics, moshing, crowd surfing and definitely not showing it was nearing the end of day two. It didn’t matter how sun burnt or tired everyone was, the crowd was giving it their all.

7. LØLØ

She almost didn’t make it on the list because she almost didn’t make it to Warped Tour. LØLØ had many delayed flights and got in hours before her set. Her bag also did not make it to D.C. so she had to wear her drummer’s underwear, jean shorts and her band’s white button down and tie on stage. But the hiccups did not stop her. She lit up the stage and took us through a journey of emotions. This even included making us all cheerleaders during “Debbie Downer”, calling out toxic exes with “The Devil Wears Converse” and admitting that maybe that person isn’t for you with “U Turn Me On (But Give Me Depression)” . Her set was short but every minute had me locked in. I was singing along to every word and dancing nonstop. She turned a rough start to a killer set that left me dying to see a full LØLØ headlining set soon. 

6. rosecoloredworld

A female-fronted rock group? I am going to be there. Rosecoloredworld is a band I have been watching for a few months and I was so excited to see them again. Vocalist Rae commanded the stage. She looked like she belonged on the stage. Whether she was dancing, headbanging or belting out the lyrics, she made her mark. Also, I loved her dress and may need one for myself. Plus, Addison absolutely nailed all the guitar riffs and brought the high energy and exciting songs to life. The band just all meshed so well and looked like a veteran Warped Tour act. This band is going places and I cannot wait to watch what they do next. So, the next time they are in Ohio, I will be there. 

5. Lambrini Girls

This was one of my most anticipated sets of the weekend. An all-female group that makes angry songs about the government and other problems in the world? Count me in. When it was time for their set late in the day Sunday, I was at the barricade and ready to let out my anger. We were in Washington D.C., after all. Screaming “Bad Apple” and “God’s Country”, songs about how messed up the world is, was therapeutic. No matter where you are from, you can relate to the lyrics. Rough, fast guitars, and quick, honest, uncensored lyrics make Lambrini Girls the perfect punk rock to head bang and let loose. Also, towards the end of the set there was a moment where singer Phoebe Lunny said that even though they are British we all could agree in America about the government and the world like “free Palestine” and “America is descending into fascism”. We all cheered because we were all angry. That was one of my favorite moments of the weekend. The whole crowd was releasing built up anger and frustration. Then the set ended in the most punk way with getting cut off right as they started another song: they tried to sing and none of the mics worked. It doesn’t get more punk rock than that. 

4. Boston Manor

Boston Manor was a set I was not missing under any circumstances.This band has been a staple in my rotation for almost ten years and I had been dying to see them again. They did not disappoint. I got nostalgic singing “Halo” and “England’s Dreaming”, songs I blasted while walking around my college campus. The whole time they were on stage, I was in disbelief and awe. They sounded so good and I did not want their set to end. I was screaming, dancing and head banging. It was a rock set made for this festival. The guitars were soaring, the drums were heavy and the vocals were on point. It healed my college soul. 

3. Daisy Grenade

A set full of female rage? Say no more. If you haven’t already checked out Daisy Grenade, you are missing out. This duo has the stage presence made for sold out large arenas. They sound fantastic, can do choreography and sing anything from poppy melodies to heavy rock bridges. Plus, they write songs about getting revenge on everyone who has wronged them. And all of that was showcased during their set. Rocked out to “Riot”, vibed to “Girls Are So Lucky” and plotted during “How To Hide A Body”. They used the small stage to its full potential by dancing and encouraging the crowd to let loose, sing, mosh, whatever they wanted to do. They had their small choreography moments during “Hypocrite”, sang to one another and got back to back. Oh, and they brought out VANA for “Emily”. So, a crossover with another iconic woman in the scene gets you on the list. 

2. Grandson

Name a better artist to play at Washington D.C. Warped Tour. If you are not familiar with Grandson, he makes music heavily focused on commenting on the state of the world socially and politically. His background had messages talking about the war in Iran and what is going on with Palestine. He had the crowd with their middle fingers up multiple times. The star of the show however were two separate moments. The first being during his cover of “Masters of War” he brought out someone wearing an Elon Musk mask leading someone on a leash wearing a Donald Trump mask and diaper. He also carried a giant baby bottle and was feeding into the Trump character. During “BRAINROT”, he had DeathByRomy leading both Musk and Trump on leashes across the stage. I mean, that is iconic, bold and lets the world know clearly where he stands on what is going on in the world. The crowd loved it. Truly a memorable moment and set of the weekend. 

1. Waterparks

Okay, it was going to be pretty hard for any band to beat Waterparks. They are my favorite band so I am a bit biased. Every time I watch them perform I love it more and more and this set was no different. Opening with “PROWLER” had me hyped. They also debuted “BETTER THAN THERAPY” off of their upcoming album JINX. I was not expecting to hear a new song and it was so good. I cannot wait to hear the official release. I sang very loud to hits like “Stupid For You” and “Blonde”. I just smiled the whole time and lived in the moment. I laughed at Awsten Knight’s bits and lost my mind to “Turbulent”.  The set encapsulated their discography in just a few songs. Anyone who may have not known who they are got a full picture of the band, even though it’s pretty hard to fully capture their ever changing sound in just a few songs. But, it was a perfect set in my eyes. Ten years after I first saw this band live and discovered their music and I am just as big of fan as ever. 

I am already counting down the days until next year’s festival. I know it is going to be full of amazing acts. I mean, the last two years have been stacked and I know next year is going to be crazy. So, I may need to start my training of running from stage to stage. Who is with me?

If you were at Van’s Warped Tour Washington D.C. this year, what sets were you favorite? If you are going to any of the other dates this year, which sets are you most excited to see? 

Make sure to follow us on our social media to see clips from some of the sets mentioned, our interviews with some of the bands and all our other Warped Tour Coverage. Also, make sure to check out our article about Cody Stoll’s overall experience at this festival.