On Wednesday, November 15th, 2017, Kevin Lyman, producer of the nation’s largest traveling tour, took to social media to announce that after 23 successful summers, Vans Warped Tour will come to an end.

Vans Warped Tour has been a stage for hundreds of bands and musicians ranging from musical genres as diverse as My Chemical Romance and 3OH!3 to Eminem and Katy Perry. More famous bands aren’t the only bands they included; Warped brought lesser-known musicians along for the summer every year, which provided ground for those bands to gain a fan-base.

If you’ve been labeled as an “emo kid” at any point within the past 22 years, this announcement probably strikes a chord with you. Warped Tour is seen as the most important concert an emo kid could dream up. If you’ve ever attended the tour, you’ll never forget it. Standing in line for two hours just to enter the venue, listening to some garage band’s music in the parking lot (and probably buying their CD for $5), and underestimating the amount of sunscreen and water you needed are only three of hundreds of memories Warped Tour enthusiasts still have from their day in punk paradise.

In addition to musicians, Warped Tour has also brought YouTubers and many nonprofit organizations along for the festivities. The tour has several successful sponsors such as Monster Energy Drinks and the store, Journey’s. In all their years they have opened their gates to hundreds of thousands of concertgoers during their lifespan, and given bands and fans chances to meet.

Despite the general sadness that the fans of Vans Warped Tour are feeling, they are understanding of Lyman’s decision to work on other projects. Summer 2018 will surely be an exciting conclusion to the 23 great years of this project. To Kevin Lyman and all the people who made Warped Tour possible, the “punk” community thanks you.