121 artists. 42 cities. 2 roadies. 1 wild summer ride.
Invisible Children will join over 120 artists and 18 nonprofit organizations as we hit the road sharing music, our message, and some serious fun. We’re also excited to be traveling again with Bayside this summer– we’re on their bus for a second year.
We asked Nathan and Catherine (our Warped Tour Roadies) to give us the inside scoop on what to expect from Invisible Children at Warped Tour.
Our goodbye to Nathan before he and Catherine hit the road.
So, why did you want to represent Invisible Children at Warped Tour?
Nathan (N): I think society has told us that it’s ok to be disinterested in global conflicts and become self absorbed. Invisible Children challenges that social norm — and to me that’s punk rock. Vans Warped Tour is for people who aren’t satisfied by social norms and are looking for ways to challenge them. I’m stoked to be part of that.
Catherine (C): I interned with Invisible Children for the Fall 2013 semester and I have never been more built up by a community. I also left feeling like I had much more to do. The opportunity to continue representing a cause so dear to me while spending the summer in a new community with some of my favorite bands was not an opportunity I could pass up.
What does Warped Tour mean to you?
N:Warped Tour is filled with a bunch of young dreamers, innovative thinkers, and punk kids. It creates a space for all of them to come together, let go of their dissatisfactions and grab hold of community. Music is the conduit.
C:Warped Tour for me has always been a chance to be myself. Similar to the family I found in Invisible Children, I found a home in the Warped community.When I was in high school, Warped was the only day of the year that I truly felt that I could wear what I wanted to wear, dance how I wanted to dance, and be interested in what really mattered to me. Bands, non-profit organizations, and clothing lines that I could only stalk longingly online were finally at my fingertips.
Catherine sharing a laugh with us before hitting the road.
What do you hope to get out of the experience?
N: I hope I can help facilitate in others the same radical shift of worldview that I experienced through Invisible Children. This organization taught me that people matter– every single person– and we have a responsibility to give all people a chance at a long, free life. I also hope to get really good at handstands.
C: I appreciate any chance I can get to learn from people. I recognize that sometimes I can’t change another person’s views but I can let them change me. I am so excited to see what I can learn from the Warped community this summer.
What do you want supporters to get out of a visit to our Warped Tour tent?
N: A greater sense of value. What we do matters. And it can actually change the world we live in for the better.
C: I found Invisible Children when I was ready to stand for something greater than myself. I hope that a visit to our booth can validate supporters that they are doing great things and their work is not going unnoticed. As the saying goes, “history takes attendance;” and our supporters are showing up and doing work that matters. I am so impressed by every single one of you.
So while you are enjoying some amazing music at Warped Tour, make sure to stop by our tent and have Nathan show you his handstands and ask Catherine for some gymnastics training advice.
**Bonus feature: Come to our tent and check out our swag**
Invisible Children + The Summer Set Presents: Legendary [The Giving Keys]
Check out The Summer Set’s collaboration with Invisible Children and The Giving Keys. These bad boys (modeled and designed by lead singer Brian Logan Dales– but we’re only looking at the key of course) are limited edition and engraved with the word “Legendary”, in honor of the title of their last album and single.
Brain Logan Dales wearing our “Legendary” key, a collaboration with Invisible Children, The Summer Set, and The Giving Keys.
Make sure to pick up your key at our tent or online before they’re all gone.
Peace Cut Off Shirt
Modeled here on Hayley Williams from Paramore, this Invisible Children tank will also be available at our tent.
Hayley Williams, lead singer of Paramore, wearing our t-shirt
Warning: wearing this shirt does not make you Hayley Williams, but spontaneous bouts of off-the-wall singing and jamming may occur.
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