Vans Warped Tour Founder on Creating a Cultural Icon — Kevin Lyman

Kevin Lyman (IG: @kevinlyman) is a visionary entrepreneur and influential figure in the world of music and entertainment. Born on October 6, 1961, in Orange, California, Lyman has left an indelible mark on the industry, particularly in the realm of alternative and punk rock. His journey into the music scene began with a passion for bringing people together through shared musical experiences. In 1995, he founded the Vans Warped Tour, a groundbreaking traveling music festival that became a staple in the alternative music scene for over two decades! The tour attracted around 750,000 people annually and is recognized as the longest-running North American festival ever! Kevin’s dedication to supporting independent artists and fostering a sense of inclusivity has made him a respected and beloved figure among musicians and fans alike. He has been involved in numerous charitable initiatives, using his platform to address social issues and make a positive impact on the communities he engages with. His ability to adapt to the ever-evolving music landscape and his unwavering passion for the art form have solidified his legacy as a trailblazer in the industry. In late 2018, Kevin began teaching at USC's Thornton School of Music as an Associate Professor.

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS //

+ Kevin’s upbringing in Claremont, California in “hippieville” and how it shaped him

+ The loneliness epidemic and our ever-present need for community now more than ever

+ The echo chamber we are all living in now due to social media and it’s blocking our ability to be more balanced / harmonious

+ The hardest moments of navigating the building the Warped tour, how Kevin bounced back and what he learned

+ Kevin winding down the Warped tour after 25 successful years, how there was no ambivalence in him and how he felt fully complete after ending it

+ How he was villainized by many people for “ruining punk rock”

+ Kevin attending Cal Poly Pomona where another fellow mega festival creator, Paul Tollett, the creator of Coachella also went to school

+ How taking any days off in the music industry is viewed as negatively, people get judged for not wanting it bad enough, self-care is seen as weakness

+ How Kevin has literally sent artists to rehab mid-tour who were suffering from heavy addiction on the road

+ People on the artist side and the executive side aren’t seen as people but rather seen as commodities and dehumanized

+ The music industry can be so phony at times that when you text someone to say, “how are you doing?” and you don’t ask them for anything people are taken aback

+ Kevin recalling working with megastars Nine Inch Nails and Stone Temple Pilots and being concerned about their addictions and drug abuse

+ Getting to work closely with Trent Reznor and admiring his brilliance and business acumen

+ How to navigate today’s music industry of mass SATURATION and ways to cut through the NOISE

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– TEAM CIM