The pair are amongst a handful of YouTubers set to appear at this year’s festival.
Vans Warped Tour UK is set to occur on 18 October at London’s Alexandra Palace. Along with Bethan and Helen, US vloggers Bryan Stars, Damon Fizzy and Johnnie Guilbert will also be making appearances.
Speaking to TenEighty about Warped, Helen said: “The type of people will be different. YouTube events are very diverse. I feel though for this it will be just the alternative community, so a sea of lovely, colourful hair, which will no doubt [make me] miss mine.”
This is the first time Warped Tour will be making a stop in the UK since 2013. YouTubers have been appearing on the US version of the tour over the past few years, with the controversial move raising both praise from YouTube fans and criticism from music fans and the bands who play the tour:
youtubers need to get off of warped tour I'm sick of people attending just to meet them and not even caring about the bands at all
— lauren (@PVRlS_) October 9, 2015
To clarify my point, a comment I left for @MusicologyOffic: pic.twitter.com/YukDRmpYgm
— Brian Anthony Joyce (@ImBrianJoyce) July 7, 2015
Trenton Woodley, vocalist for Australian band Hands Like Houses, wrote a blog post, voicing his opinion on the matter, stating:
“I feel strongly about young people with little to no life experience being put on a pedestal. The YouTubers and [a] lot of bands included – these are [a] bunch of people in their mid-late teens, given a platform and expected to handle the attention they’re getting, when most of them don’t even know what that attention actually means.”
He went on to say: “These kids aren’t role models. Hell, I myself am not a freaking role model – I’m just a dude with generally level-headed opinions based on being observant [and] respectful, and I regularly challenge myself in what I believe and how it relates to the people around me.”
Patty Walters responded to Trenton’s comments in an interview with TeamRock, stating:
“I do agree with the majority of that statement. I met Trenton and I also know YouTubers very well. I respect him for saying that. I am one of those people where the YouTubers are friends of mine, but I’m not necessarily a fan of their content; I am a fan of music and of the bands that are playing. I totally understand why media doesn’t deserve that kind of glorification and promotion, to the extent where they’re their own entity.”
Weighing in on the subject, Helen had to say: “I don’t think it should change the tone of the tour. It just adds more things to do. Like, if people don’t care for YouTubers then cool, don’t go visit them – just watch the bands.”
Those wishing to attend this month’s Warped Tour stop can purchase tickets here.
What are your opinions on the matter? Should YouTubers be allowed to be featured on music festivals? Be sure to tweet us your thoughts.
Want More?
Bethan recently announced she’ll be playing a show to coincide with the release of her new EP, Inside Her Head. Alternatively, you can read TenEighty’s investigation into the YouTube community, and how YouTube events and gatherings play into the changes currently happening within it.
For updates follow @TenEightyUK on Twitter or like TenEighty UK on Facebook.
