The long awaited Road To Warped was officially resurrected and a weekend of pure, unadulterated rock took over the city streets to put on a show for the ages. As the bands made their way to the main Warped Tour event in Washington, DC on Saturday 6.14.25 & Sunday 6.15.25 some of them made a pitstop to play at The Ritz Theater along the way! Although, I only covered day 3 of the 4 day event I can assure you that the music scene is alive and well in Scranton, PA! Volunteers from near and far came to help entrepreneur, Josh Balz, achieve his goal of bringing Warped Tour back to Scranton. The official festival used to make its way through the Electric City from the years 2006 to their last run in 2018 (2019 was the official last year but only making it to Atlantic City for the 25th anniversary) covering major cities all over the United States dating back to as early as 1995. Not only did The Ritz Theater manage to put together artists that were heading to the main festival in DC but they also managed to give local bands a stage to perform on, as well.
A weekend of hard-hitting riffs and an electric atmosphere. The northeast Pennsylvania air crackled with anticipation, a feeling amplified by the diverse lineup of rock acts spread across multiple stages- outdoor stages Gallery Of Sound and The Strange & Unusual were in addition to The Ritz Theater main stage.
From the moment the gates opened, it was clear that this new festival was poised to deliver a memorable experience for alt-rock aficionados of all ages. From the opening chords from Harrisburg’s very own Lyndhurst to the final encore of headliners, 408, The Spill Canvas and Armor For Sleep, the energy was electric! It was a night that had something for everyone, from hard-hitting emo classics to unexpected surprises from acts like The Soap Girls, who were unfortunately delayed due to a hit and run which swiped the mirror off of their van earlier in the day. Beyond the big names like Saosin, Memphis May Fire, The Word Alive, Amber Pacific and Escape The Fate, this festival provided a platform for a range of exciting emerging bands.
Lyndhurst captivated the audience with their unique blend of pop-punk and rock influences, while The Soap Girls (South Africa) showcased their technical skill with a set full of intricate stage stunts, nip slips (yes, really!) guitar solos and powerful drum skills. These performances highlighted the depth of talent within the rock scene and left attendees eager to discover new music as well as reviving their love for older emo ballads.
The Spill Canvas supported Armor For Sleep as headliners. Both bands had a jaw-dropping performance with plenty of sing-a-longs to new and old ballads. Both blending a sense of pop-punk/alternative style music while checking into emotions of their fans. Songs like “The Tide” by The Spill Canvas left audience goers in literal tears with lyrics like “Heavens not a place that you go when you die, it’s that moment in life when you actually feel alive.” With lyrics as raw as that how can you not shed a tear? It’s safe to say that emo music will make a forever impact on its listeners for years to come. Armor For Sleep closed the night with their “Car Underwater” classic that had the crowd roaring at its close.
The festival experience extended beyond the stages, with various vendors offering unique merchandise and delicious food. The carnival atmosphere was also present with an operating ferris wheel and animal ride for all ages to enjoy at an affordable, additional price. The overall feeling was vibrant and welcoming, with fans sharing their passion for rock music and enjoying the sense of community. The Road To Warped Tour was a triumphant celebration of rock music and bringing enthusiasts back to their roots of alt/punk rock. The performances were outstanding, and the airspace was electrifying. Discovering both established and emerging artists made for an unforgettable weekend. The events that The Ritz Theater are putting together is highly recommended for rock music enthusiasts and will only get better as the years go on. The location for this event was perfect considering it was in the middle of the city so I hope to see it happen again next year! Consider this an RSVP!
I would like to take the time to add that this festival was held in memory of the late Dave Shapiro and Daniel Williams who shook our rock community when they lost their lives on May 22nd, 2025 in a fatal plane crash. On behalf of Rock Documented we would like to send their families and friends our deepest condolences during these difficult times. May their memory live on!
