This year’s Vans Warped Tour announcement was a ninety minute live extravaganza. Streamed live on YouTube, founder and producer Kevin Lyman was joined by 3OH!3 at Full Sail University to reveal the seventy-eight acts forming the core line-up, plus hinting at some of the other surprises on offer this year and next. It was an exercise in persuasion, suggesting Warped Tour’s continued relevance and returning to the basics. Those basics are, at least in Lyman’s eyes: Fans, bands, philanthropy and education.

It’s been a turbulent few years for the world famous roaming festival. Last year’s tour was marred by Lyman’s controversial decision to allow an appearance by Front Porch Step in the midst of serious allegations, which in turn raised further issues about Warped Tour’s attitude to safe spaces. Pictures of sexist and offensive band merch dotted the festival, and were widely shared as the tour failed to provide an adequate response.

Although this was by far the most important issue, it was however only one of many criticisms thrown at Lyman and his team. The controversial line-up of 2008 saw pop-queen Katy Perry take to the Warped Tour stage, and cemented the festival’s departure from its pop-punk roots. Its continued foray into the world of metalcore, now a staple of the bill and not likely to change anytime soon, remains as divisive as ever.

So it came as a surprise to see Kevin Lyman react to these criticisms live on stage during this year’s announcement. Although not explicitly mentioning them (other than a quick patter about Perry), the controversies of the last few years are written across his face and entwine his every word. Visibly worn, Lyman is clearly and unmistakably on the defensive.

There are still the occasional missteps. 3OH!3 awkwardly shift around the stage as Lyman leads the charge, interrupting with banal banter that encourages wincing through the computer screen. A particularly misjudged joke about virginity falls flat on its face, to the obvious discomfort of the duo themselves, who from that point out appear only to make disconnected and distracting noises. For a festival attempting to cement itself back into position as a serious prospect, 3OH!3 seem a poor choice for the bill, never mind the announcement event.

Falling In Reverse somehow manage to find themselves on the Warped Tour line-up, despite their bigoted attitude that goes against everything Lyman is trying to get across. It’s difficult to see how Lyman can possibly argue for inclusivity yet still book a band with such a well-documented past.

Yet on numerous occasions he does indeed refer back to the online critics. He presents evidence for his side of the trial, choosing to read out the full list of charities and non-profit organisations being hosted by Warped Tour, despite the increasing disinterest from the Full Sail University crowd. A superfluous 3OH!3 look on as the list unfolds, Lyman clearly questioning his decision to continue reading, but catches himself and uncomfortably addresses the crowd: “I’m going to keep going because I said I’m going to read them all.”

The cynic could argue that his comment on abuse non-profit I Am A Cockeyed Optimist is a demonstration of personal disinterest. “I gotta figure out,” he stumbles, “I’ve got to learn a bit about that.” To think Lyman is directly responsible for the acquisition of local non-profit chapters would however be naïve, and his willingness – whether suggested by his public relations team or his own decision – is a clear response to last year’s events.

It’s not Lyman’s only defensive tactic. As he leads up to announce the Monster Party Zone Stages, perhaps the most questionably-named stages of any festival in recent history, he responds more directly to line-up criticisms. As Lyman sees it, he is responding to the change in times and giving the kids what they want. Judging from the cheers that meet the likes of Chelsea Grin and Motionless In White as they are announced for their respective stages, he may be right. Perhaps more likely though is that Warped has twisted itself into a self-fulfilling beast, shifting its own dynamic rather than being led by changing times.

At the very least, Lyman appears to be trying. Whether it’s his genuine belief or a clever marketing ploy, Warped Tour are taking steps in the right direction. It will never be what it once was, Lyman all-but conceding this point during the 90 minute announcement. It’s refreshing to see Lyman take the criticisms on directly. As evidenced by the arrogantly titled ‘Kevin Says’ Stage’s shift to the Full Sail Stage, there are forces at play in the Warped universe more important than Lyman as an individual. Warped Tour is, and really must be, bigger than just one man.