9 Mile Garden in Affton, Missouri, transformed into a vibrant hub of pop-punk nostalgia on Saturday with the “Almost Warped Tour,” a one-day, 9-band concert that paid homage to the iconic Vans Warped Tour. Hosted at Missouri’s first food truck garden and family-friendly entertainment district, this event captured the raw, rebellious spirit of the early 2000s punk scene while showcasing local talent covering some of the genre’s biggest names.
Nestled at 9375 Gravois Road, 9 Mile Garden provided an intimate yet lively setting for the event. The outdoor venue, known for its food trucks and community vibe, was packed with fans decked out in band tees, studded belts, and checkered Vans, evoking the quintessential Warped Tour aesthetic. There were two stages hosting the lineup, allowing for seamless transitions between acts. The day kicked off at 11 a.m., with local radio personality and musician, Moon from 105.7 The Point, hyping up the crowd.
The weather was quintessentially St. Louis summer—hot and humid—but the crowd’s enthusiasm never waned.. and after a few hours it ‘cooled’ down a bit. Thankfully, there were ice-cold water stations set up to help keep patrons cool and hydrated.
Food trucks Taste-D-Burger, Roxy’s Hot Grill, Sweet Waffle STL, La Colombianita, Duchess Rose Royal Street Food, Wok-O Taco, and 57 OH BBQ were there keeping attendees fueled and hydrated, while the open, grassy space allowed for both a little moshing near the stage and chilling further back with friends and family. The pet-friendly vibe added a wholesome touch, with dogs weaving through the crowd, adding to the laid-back, inclusive atmosphere.
The lineup featured 9 local bands, each delivering high-energy tribute sets to pop-punk and emo heavyweights:
- Warped STL (Sum 41 tribute)
- Discount Say Anything (Say Anything tribute)
- Not Topic (Paramore tribute)
- Eugene Levy (Bowling For Soup tribute)
- The Fabulous Killjoys (My Chemical Romance tribute)
- Dressed To Kill (New Found Glory tribute)
- Safety Third (Green Day tribute)
- Cover Letter (Fall Out Boy tribute)
- Feeling This (Blink 182 tribute)
They all kept the energy high, with each band feeding off the crowd’s infectious enthusiasm. The covers were faithful yet infused with the local bands’ personalities, making the performances feel fresh.
Fans of all ages, from teens discovering pop-punk through streaming to 30-somethings reliving their Warped Tour glory days, connected over shared anthems.
Entry was FREE, which was an absolute steal for an all-day festival featuring 9 great bands, some fantastic food, and a vibrant community vibe. The event captured the sweaty, rebellious, and heartfelt essence of Warped Tour while showcasing St. Louis’s local music scene.
The Almost Warped Tour 2025 at 9 Mile Garden was a triumphant celebration of pop-punk’s enduring legacy, blending nostalgia with the raw energy of a new generation. I’m already looking forward to “Almost Warped Tour 2026” but I’ll try to remember the sunscreen next time. 🙂
PHOTOS:
Almost Warped Tour @ 9 Mile Garden 6/28/25 – Mick Lite Photography
Mick Lite Photography
