Kevin Lyman on Building Warped Tour: How One Risky Idea Changed Music Forever | Inside the Noise (S3, E1)

Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman joins Guitar Center CEO Gabe Dalporto to reveal how a one-summer experiment became one of the most influential music festivals in history, and why discovering new artists remains his life's work.

As the creator of the Warped Tour, Lyman built more than a traveling music festival. He also introduced fans to artists such as No Doubt, Sublime, Paramore, Fall Out Boy, Sum 41, Simple Plan, Katy Perry, as well as thousands of emerging bands looking for their first big break.

In this first episode of season three of Inside the Noise with Gabe Dalporto, Lyman tells the full story of the Warped Tour, explains why the event is returning and shares what he has learned from more than four decades in the live music business.

It All Started with Backyard Punk Shows

After discovering punk rock while attending Cal Poly Pomona, Lyman began promoting DIY concerts in fraternity backyards before working his way into Southern California's club scene. Eventually, he produced hundreds of concerts each year, working alongside promoters who would later help shape festivals such as Coachella and Lollapalooza.

Why Warped Tour Was Different

Seeing there were countless talented bands, but very few opportunities for audiences to discover them, Lyman launched Warped Tour in 1995—intentionally breaking many of the conventions of major music festivals. For example, there were no headliners listed above everyone else (the bands appeared alphabetically on posters) and set times weren't announced until the morning of each show to encourage concertgoers to arrive early and explore every stage—a boon to unknown artists.

The Sponsorship That Changed Everything

The Warped Tour almost never happened. After struggling financially during its first year, Lyman was searching for a title sponsor when Vans asked him to discuss ways to advance amateur skateboarding. Instead, the company committed to becoming the Warped Tour's title sponsor. The partnership would become one of the most successful brand collaborations in live music history.

Why Warped Tour Returned

Lymon ended the cross-country tour in 2018, believing the music scene has changed and the festival had run its course. In the post-pandemic world, he watched festival prices climb dramatically, making many large events inaccessible to younger fans. Lyman saw an opportunity to bring Warped Tour back with a renewed focus on affordability, community and discovering new artists.

His Guitar Center Story

Early in his career, after unexpectedly landing a job as a drum technician for Los Angeles band The Untouchables, Lyman realized he had no idea how to set up a drum kit. But during a frantic visit to Guitar Center, a helpful associate spent the time to teach him the basics. He left on tour the very next day.

Catch the full conversation and other episodes of Inside the Noise with Gabe Dalporto on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any of your favorite major platforms. When you subscribe, you’ll get new episodes every Tuesday at 3 p.m. PT.