Free Friends - CRAZY TOUR STORIES

In this Crazy Tour Stories segment, the pop punk band, Free Friends, shares one of their stories from being on the road. You can check out the story below:

From Trespassers to Sharing the Stage with My Idol

I remember crossing the Arizona-California state line on the 10 freeway, packed into an 18-passenger van with my first band, American Diary. We were heading to the opening date of the Vans Warped Tour 2008. We didn’t officially belong there, but we looked the part, and with a van and trailer, sneaking in was a breeze among the two-mile caravan of talent hitting the road that summer.

Our plan was simple: follow the festival and sell our latest EP. After a month-long tour to get there, we were riding high on adrenaline and ambition. That first day is etched vividly in my memory—not because it was glamorous, but because it tied everything together for me. We were caught for trespassing halfway through the day. But instead of kicking us out, Shelly and Kevin offered a compromise. In exchange for helping with catering, they allowed us to keep selling our CDs and even join the tour as a performing act on the Skate Ramp Stage. We graciously accepted, turning what could have been a disaster into an incredible opportunity.

The highlight came during that first afternoon. Taking a break by our van, I saw Tom DeLonge—former Blink-182 member and frontman of Angels & Airwaves (AVA)—sprinting around a corner to escape a crowd of adoring fans. Ironically, Blink-182 was not only the band that inspired me to pick up a guitar, but also the first concert I ever attended. Now, here I was, about to share the same stage. Tom asked me for a cigarette, and we ended up chatting like old friends.

We saw Tom and Angels & Airwaves every day after that because half of our band delivered their meals, and the other half worked in catering. Spending the summer crossing paths with them was surreal. Tom took the time to watch our performances and even gave us an in-depth review of our music and live show. His feedback was invaluable; he pointed out our strengths and areas where we could improve, offering advice based on his years of experience. I learned so much from him—not just about music, but about stage presence, connecting with the audience, and the realities of life on the road.

The first time I played on the very stage where I’d once watched Blink-182 perform, Tom was there watching me—a full-circle moment that was both humbling and exhilarating. After our set, he approached me with a genuine smile and offered constructive criticism that would shape how I approached music thereafter.

After a while, he headed back to his bus, and my girlfriend at the time cheekily said, “His face was on my 16th birthday cake.” We both laughed hysterically. Building relationships with Tom and other legendary artists on that tour was the validation I needed to solidify my conviction of never turning back. Ten years after first hearing the song that set this all into motion, there I was, fraternizing with the person who wrote it—as an equal.

Fast forward through nonstop touring with national acts, selling thousands of records, and hitting a few bumps along the way, I’m still doing what I love. Whether it’s a trip to the beach or just a weekend road trip, these are jams to roll the windows down, sing out loud, and make memories to. That summer on the Vans Warped Tour not only launched my career but also reminded me why I picked up the guitar in the first place. It’s funny how life comes full circle, turning fans into peers and dreams into reality.

Keep up with Free Friends on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, https://www.facebook.com/freefriendsrock , Twitter, and their website.