Publication Date October 6, 2026
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October 6, 2026UncategorizedINDUSTRY REPORT # 72
The New Sonic Experience
October 6th, 2026 by Jimmy Alvarez
In our ongoing Industry Series, we turn the story towards one of the most successful independently owned venues in the country – Orange County’s very own Garden Amp!
The Garden Grove venue and its management have a storied history. They didn’t just land where they are; this story goes back a way – 25 years+. The best way to start this story is by going back to the beginning, and I mean the beginning.
The Amp itself was built in the 1970s and was originally built as a home for community theater. For decades it also put on events aligned with the City of Garden Grove’s Strawberry Festival. Over the years it has gone through a few name changes before it settled with The Garden Amphitheater. For example, it was previously known as the Festival Amphitheater and the Strawberry Bowl.
In February of 2017, the Garden Grove City Council approved a 10-year facility use agreement with its current ownership group, LFA Group. This group is not comprised of newbies; they have run venues such as The Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa, and The Observatory – previously known as The Galaxy – and The Shark Club, also in Costa Mesa.
Other members of the ownership group were in Kevin Lyman’s orbit and did time with the Warped Tour. In other words, with the experience the team brings, it is no wonder The Garden Amp is a legit player in the music industry.
Within weeks of receiving the proverbial keys to the musical soul of the area, Garden Amp management jumped on a festival that featured Dirty Heads and Sublime with Rome for a concert in the park, which brought in an estimated 20,000 fans.
Since 2017, concerts at Garden Amp have brought in welcome foot traffic and customers to local businesses. In today’s economy, that makes venues like this vital hubs to any community.
Situated in the heart of the area, the venue has brought some of the biggest names in music, including The Adicts, Dramarama, Pennywise, Bad Religion, Suicidal Tendencies, Turnstile, Stephen Marley, Warren G, DJ Quick, Too Short, Corey Taylor, Face To Face, New Found Glory, The Joy Formidable, Missing Persons, and Bow Wow Wow – just to name a few!
I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to chat with Garden Amp’s Talent Buyer, Chris Lisk, about the Amp’s past, present, and very bright future.
I started the chat by congratulating him on the big shows they have put on, and the shows slated to hit the Garden Amp in the coming weeks. Lisk was gracious when we spoke, he thanked me for taking interest in the venue and what they have been building there.
We discussed the inner workings of the venue and I was very pleasantly surprised to hear how loyal they are to their staff, and that many of them have been part of the vision for decades. Twenty-five plus years in existence, and there are employees that have been with them over that time. He explained, “Treat your people right, and they will do your company right. We are a close-knit family and we make sure that we provide the best experience for concertgoers we can.”
I asked how important it was that they do right by fans that come to their shows. He said, “It’s everything. It’s not rocket science; you treat people right at shows, even when they can get lively. It is a good business model that will pay off.”
I then asked about the facility and mentioned its improvements over the years. He said, “Thanks for noticing. We regularly invest money back into the venue, sometimes it’s not the big things – it’s a lot of little things that mount and makes the fans experience better each and every time they come here.”
When asked about future projects, he laughed and said, “Well, we are looking at a way to increase capacity – maybe another deck. That’s still in the works. But if it makes sense, and it makes a show better to take in for fans, we are going to look at it and see how we can make it happen.”
I jokingly said, “You know that the House the Mouse Built was founded on a theory that it will always be a place in development. Is that the same for Garden Amp?” Lisk again laughed and said, “I know what Walt said and we get that vision. We are always looking to see what we can do better and bigger.”
“Speaking of bigger,” I continued, “you guys have managed to bring in great shows that keep fans coming back and are centric to many of local music scenes. How are you able to hook some of these big-name bands?” Lisk laughed and said, “Jimmy it’s like any business; you build relationships. We’ve been doing things a while and it’s important you keep your word, that’s most important. Honoring riders for bands, and let’s say even if we lose money in any aspects of a show, keeping our word matters, making sure that bands are happy is important, and making sure fans have a great time is very, very important to us. Do that consistently and you get a reputation that helps bring in the bands you see playing here.”
Back to the topic of bigger and better, I asked about the concerts in the park, and if that will happen again. Lisk responded, “We would definitely like to do that again; everyone had such a great time. There is nothing set in stone, but we hope we can do something in 2027. Maybe one or two, who knows maybe more. But we definitely would like to do it. There are a lot of moving parts on that type of show. Luckily the city of Garden Grove is a good partner; if there’s a way to do it, with their help, we just might see a show or two there in 2027.”
Speaking of some of the bands coming to town, Lisk added, “The show we are very proud to be a part of is the benefit for Mike Roach of T.S.O.L. He’s battling health issues, and the community has rallied for this one. Bands taking part, The Offspring, Pennywise, Circle Jerks, The Adolescents and a slew of other great bands.”
He continued, “We have Black Flag and The Adicts headlining two back-to-back punk shows on October 17th and 18th. We have The Bronx and Voodoo Glow Skulls on Halloween night. Then Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong with his other band, Pinhead Gunpowder, coming on November 11th and we are ecstatic to have Reel Big Fish coming back home to Orange County and play here on December 4th.”
He finished with, “We’re part of a music community that has allowed us to provide a home for many bands, and they continue to get support from their fans and they come to see their heroes. I can’t think of a better place to see a show than Garden Amp.”
Bottom line, the music industry is an extremely tough business. Every week we hear stories about music venues and the challenges. It’s good to see that Orange County remains a place where music is a piece of the soul of our communities and Garden Amp is a place where you can see your sonic heroes up close and personal while having the time of your life. The future of music in The OC looks very bright!
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October 5, 2026UncategorizedSOMBR
YOU ARE THE REASON TOUR
Comes to SoCal
October 5th, 2026 by Amaris Becker
Sombr brings the You Are the Reason Tour through Southern California, and he is hitting three big stops in the span of five days.
Check off Honda Center in Anaheim, October 9th. The Kia Forum in Inglewood on October 10th. Pechanga Arena in San Diego on October 13th.
Born Shane Michael Boose, his stage name represents both his initials and, perhaps the mood he was in when he chose it at 16, writing and producing by himself in his bedroom on the Lower East Side of New York City.
The masses really got a taste of his music from his cover of Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You,” and things just blew up from there.
Add in another larger-than-life cover, The Cranberries “Linger” made believers of critcis on both sides of the pond.
More recently his sound has shifted into dealing with the fame and criticism that crashed onto him at 19, now 21.
His June release “My Body Isn’t Ready” exposed his insecurities with his own body dysmorphia, often under discussed among men in the industry. Before that “Homewrecker,” which I will only speculate on.
“Undressed” and “Back to Friends” catch every feeling you have and every feeling you are left holding afterward. When you cannot tell whether you are allowed to call it a breakup or just something that ended, because to quote the title of another one of his songs: “We Never Dated.” Sombr sits with you in your feelings while you are both stuck in emotions that do not justify your relationship title.
In 2025, everything happened to him all at once. “Back to Friends” and “Undressed” both climbed into the top 20 of the Hot 100, his popularity soared with the help of TikTok and Instagram, and “I Barely Know Her,” his debut album, landed in August and charted top 10 in more than a dozen countries.
In September he won Best Alternative Video at the VMAs, and in February he played the Grammys as part of the Best New Artist segment. His evolution is the thing I am most curious about. This is an arena tour, and it ends November 23rd at Madison Square Garden, which for a kid from Manhattan will have a different energy from the rest.
The California dates come with strong support. Tom Odell opens, and if SoCal residents were disappointed at him dropping out of Ohana Fest this year, now is your chance. He is the one behind “Another Love,” which, according to my algorithm, became an unofficial anthem of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Hellp open as well, an LA-based electronic duo working an electronic infused indie sleaze sound.
This is an artist whose whole catalog is about ambiguity, about the relationship you cannot name and the ending you are constantly left wondering about. I think a lot of people entering these arenas will have a specific person in mind.
I can’t say if it’s someone who cannot help but appear into your head the second a certain song starts or Sombr himself.
Three nights, three arenas, and thousands of people a night screaming about someone who probably has no idea, or about the young man on stage. I believe that will be the show.
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October 5, 2026UncategorizedLive from IN-N-OUT KROQ Sound Space
October 5th, 2026 Review by Stuart Karpel
The In-N-Out KROQ Sound Space has already brought us some outstanding performances. Last Monday was another incredible show – the only thing hotter than the SoCal afternoon was a live show from Fontaines D.C.
Before the band – who seems to be on everyone’s lips lately – put on an exciting show, attendees started their day off right by gathering near the studio, grabbing In-N-Out burgers, and enjoying the company of old friends and new. The band truly brought everyone together as fans who attended their performance created one of the largest crowds the In-N-Out KROQ Sound Space has ever seen.
As concertgoers began to gather shoulder to shoulder, the lights eventually dimmed masking the hundreds of artists listed on their studio walls.
This signified the spotlight would now be on D.C. KROQ’s morning show team of Klein and Ally introduced the show and from that moment on, there wasn’t one second of silence in that room.
From hoots to hollers, every fan’s excitement bounced off the corners of the Sound Space, making the room itself feel alive.
Once the KROQ legend’s introduction concluded, the Irish band strutted onto the stage with their dark sunglasses and streetwear outfits more than ready to put on an incredible performance.
Lead vocalist Grian Chatten pulled up to the microphone with his Rihanna t-shirt, and began to bounce to the melody of Carlos O’Connell’s synth-stringed guitar playing at the beginning of “Starburster.” The room instantly erupted, somehow louder than it was previously. As soon as the group’s drummer Tom Coll gave the eerie track its 4/4 kickstart, Chatten told everyone what he’d “wanna” do…
The capacity-filled room turned into a riot of headbangers and superfans who knew every lyric, practically throwing the words at the band. As soon as “Jackie Down the Line,” the second track of their eight-track setlist, rolled in, the roars of excited fans continued.
For a whole minute of the song’s introduction, fans didn’t just listen – they sang the track for Chatten. Fans in the crowd felt seen, like for this moment, they were part of the band. There were almost no phones recording during the majority of the song since everyone was more focused on how catchy the hook is and the quick pace of the tempo.
Once the group pulled out an acoustic guitar for the next track, “Bug,” it hit like a tidal wave of emotion through the song’s somber lyricism. It felt as if Chatten was directly singing to each person, forming a deep connection. “Big Shot” switched the vibe completely and showcased their incredible ability to control a crowd through sound.
The hard-hitting electric guitar strums, the slower drum beat and moody lyrics of this song had every attendee swaying their arms back-and-forth to the rhythm, reminding me of palm trees on a windy day.
But as the song ended and their next song queued up, we heard the iconic acoustic strum of crowd favorite, “Favourite.” The crowd pop that went along with the beginning of the song was so loud it seemed as if it could tear the roof off. First time D.C. concertgoers and super-fans alike knew their wish of hearing this track live had been granted. After listening to it over and over while stuck in LA traffic, everyone seemed to know every word as they belted their hearts out, harmonizing along with the band.
While there was well-fitting backup vocals from O’Connell and lead guitarist, Conor Curley, it was surprising to know the echoing crowd didn’t have their own microphone. Fans stayed in unison from the get go, but they didn’t know they were in for a treat as the band kicked off a single track released the morning before this concert.
From their upcoming album, “Dopamine Chamber,” “Tongue” uplifted the pace of everyone’s vibe with its strong snare strokes and speech-like lyricism. Fans in the Sound Space who may have missed their recent performances at Hollywood Forever Cemetery and the Ohana Festival in Dana Point were able to make-up for it by getting to hear both newly released singles live as “Marianne” followed right after.
Originally released in August, the dedicated reality-check of the song’s intention to cover themes of escapism and self-destruction has truly stuck with their fanbase. Its popularity has already garnered over 17 million streams on Spotify and well over 20 million across all platforms. When this new album officially drops, the tracks will take over the radio and AUX of every punk fan’s car.
D.C. then brought out the finale of the show, “I Love You,” which once again brought the crowd back to singing together in harmony. They not only controlled the energy of the room easily, they filled the atmosphere with chest-thumping, bone-rattling music that felt similar to the thrill of a rollercoaster.
As they wrapped up, the group thanked their fans for coming and walked off the stage with haste like they didn’t just absolutely kill onstage. It was a day filled with great vibes, connection, and somehow even better music that’ll be sure to make a mark in the memories of those who attended.
The new album drops October 16th across all platforms and the KROQ concert replay will be available the same day at KROQ.com and YouTube.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
Courtesy of KROQ | Photos by Skylar Barberio
@skylerbarberio on Instagram
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October 4, 2026UncategorizedLive from Observatory Festival Grounds
October 4, 2026 Review by Christina Sanchez
A Fire Inside who we affectionately know as AFI is in the midst of their North American tour supporting their 2025 release, “Silver Bleeds the Black Sun.” They just hit up the UK and Europe, plus they have added on to the North American leg, keeping them on the road through October. Luckily for the locals, one of their stops was right here in Orange County, Santa Ana to be precise.
The tour is in support of their latest release “Holy Visions.” In my opinion the album is a departure from their original hardcore punk sound; this one has more of a Bauhaus / Echo and the Bunnymen feel to it. But this is no surprise since frontman Davey Havok is a master of reinventing the band’s sounds, as well as his own look.
While most people know AFI from their hit single, “Miss Murder,” the diehard fans are usually more closely attached to their earlier music – usually the songs from “Sing the Sorrow.” However, it is refreshing to see that a band can still reinvent themselves after all these years and maintain their fanbase. “Holy Visions” is a solid album, even with it being an extremely different style from years past.
After arriving at the venue, I saw an insanely long line that had already formed at the gate to enter the parking lot. Fans were mingling in line and enjoying meals from the food trucks the venue had brought in.
When it was time to open the gates and let the tidal wave of concertgoers in, many did a full sprint for the front row against the railing, just like Warped Tour. With four and a half hours until AFI actually took the stage, these fans were absolutely committed.
It was really cool to see such a wide variety of ages – it was definitely generational with parents that grew up on AFI having young children wearing ear protection on their shoulders. It did not take long once everyone was settled in for the show to begun. Openers LA Witch walked on to the stage wearing dark and edgy outfits. They were perfectly styled amidst a cloud of ethereal fog.
The stylish all-female trio played a mixture of genres including garage rock, folk, punk and blues, which got a positive response from the early crowd.
The band comprised of Sade Sanchez on vocals and guitar, Irita Pai on bass and Ellie English on drums seemed to have a large fanbase. They delivered a few crowd favorites, “Drive Your Car,” “Icicle,” “I Wanna Lose,” “The Lines,” and “Starred” in a short set. The Los Angeles based ladies did very well as the first act up as fan reaction suggested.
Up next was Kumo 99, they got my heart racing with their high energy and mix of digital hardcore and electronic dance music. It was also refreshing to hear someone singing in Japanese. Kumo 99 is a powerhouse duo from LA comprised of vocalist Ami Komai and drummer / synth / producer Nate Donmoyer.
Komai worked the stage well and had everyone jumping around. The crowd seemed to really enjoy “Eyesore,” “Moths and Peonies,” “Dopamine Chaser,” and “Solitaire.” I was so inspired by their music that I went and bought a Kumo 99 t-shirt.
Hats off to the road crew that was on top f it – each set took a short time before the mayhem was ready to start all over again. The final opener, Mareux, first gained popularity in 2015 when his cover of The Cure’s “The Perfect Girl” went viral on TikTok. The Iranian musician is also from Los Angeles, and played dark wave, post punk, electronic music.
Mareux often sang at his keyboard while his drummer and guitarist filled in the soundtrack with “Spectral Tease,” “Killer,” “Laugh Now, Cry Later,” “Lovers from the Past,” “Wild at Heart,” and that Cure song going over extremely well.
At last, it was time for the headliner – The crowd was amped for AFI, the crowd was beyond ready – they erupted with screams and excitement. From the second the band hit the stage AFI gave 100 percent, thrashing and jumping all over the stage.
AFI has had the same solid lineup since 1998, with Davey Havok singing, Jade Puget on guitar/keys, Hunter Burgan on bass/keys and Adam Carson on drums.
Havoc in a black leather jacket and sporting a beard gave the rabid fans a solid mix of songs from their vast discography: “Strength Through Wounding,” “Girl’s Not Grey,” “Holy Visions,” “The Killing Lights,” “Beautiful Thieves,” and “I Hope You Suffer,”
Sixteen featured solid hits overall had the crowd in stitches from beginning to end. “Nooneunderground,” “I Hope You Suffer,” and “The Days of the Phoenix,” rounded out the set before the closer, “Miss Murder” being huge fan faves.
For the much-demanded encore, AFI gave us “Silver and Cold,” which they dedicated in memory of Lou Koller from Sick of It All, and closed the night with “Totalimmortal.”
No matter what AFI played, the crowd sang along to every song, and knew every word.
Seeing AFI is a rarity in and of itself, and the hardcore fans will always be there for them wherever their musical journey may take them.
FESTIVAL PHOTO GALLERY
by Tiny Toyland
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October 1, 2026UncategorizedCELEBRATING A DECADE OF
October 2nd, 2026 by Jimmy Alvarez & Amaris Becker
There are events that are celebrated throughout the planet, and then there are shows that never cease to amaze and become iconic moments in time. Truth be told, the tenth anniversary of Ohana Fest will go down as one of the most ambitious and electrifying events in recent memory to hit the OC.
As soon as you walked through the door on Friday, September 25th the energy was palpable. The line to get it was insane, the line for merch was even more insane, and the early birds were definitely ready for the bands to take to the stage.
The atmosphere was beyond electric; the crowd was taking in the perfect day under the sun.
As in years past, there were speakers in the Cove: The Storytellers corner. Loving the planet was definitely a theme everyone could embrace.
Bands that started off day one were Mereba, Mutlee, Midnight Generation, Florence Road, and Otoboke Beaver. Each took to the stage very early and each was well received by concertgoers. For me, the band that really caught my ear was Sugar.
“Hoover, Dam,” “Changes,” “Running out of Time,” hit the Doheny with a boom! I really wished they could play a little longer – they were that solid. Closing with “Gee Angel,” and “If I Can’t Change Your Mind” opened eyes and the ears of all that made it early.
Courtesy of C3 Presents | Photo by Ismael Quintanilla
For me, I was finally going to see the one and only Aussie wonder, Courtney Barnett. Let me tell you, she did not disappoint. She strolled out in green cargo pants with a matching striped shirt. Right out of the chute she laid down some mean licks on her guitar.
She launched her set with “Stay in Your Lane,” and an early hit, “Avant Gardener,” was clearly a fan favorite.
Barnett is the definition of a professional musician. She owned that guitar and her vocals were insanely good. It was Ohana – so it was an abbreviated set. Honestly, I could have sat and watched her deliver her entire catalogue; she was that good.
We – that is the crowd – and I settled for nine songs that closed with “Pedestrian at Best,” and her uber-alternative hit, “Nobody Really Cares if You Don’t Go to the Party.”
By now the sun was slowly descending on horizon as Ohana was about to get very real as Bad Religion took to the stage.
Bad Religion lead singer Greg Graffin is no stranger to the biggest stages on the planet. Needless to say, he was calm and collected when he welcomed the crowd; then off we went to mosh-pit-land.
Sounding sharp and amped, Graffin took us through the Bad Religion catalogue of punk greatness. Immediately the aforementioned mosh pits opened up and insanity hit Doheny.
“21st Century Digital Boy,” “No Control,” “Streets of America,” “Infected,” “Walk,” and “Generator” were just a few of the hits that punkers young and not so young moshed to.
Because it was Ohana, it was only appropriate that Bad Religion lit up the festival grounds in closing with two epic songs “Sorrow” and “American Jesus.” Their performance set the mood for who was next, Billy Idol!
Idol came out to a full house as the sun was perfectly sitting on the horizon awaiting the eager moon. By then the crowd had swollen beyond belief. I was next to a couple from Riverside who was very excited to see Idol, Connie and Tony Herncane. I aced them why they loved him so much, Tony smiled and said “it’s freaking Billy Idol” as we both laughed. While Connie said, “he looks great and sounds even better.”
He really looked good in his black leather spiked jacket – and that hair!!!
Idol and legendary guitarist Steve Stevens gave everyone what they came for. Songs with a wink and whiplash smile that only Idol can pull off. “Cradle of Love” and “Flesh for Fantasy” were songs fans loved. loved, loved.
Idol kicked it into another gear with “Eyes Without a Face” followed by his Tommy James and the Shondells cover, “Mony Mony.” “Rebel Yell” rounded out his time on stage. That was it for his set, right? No! The ovation was so loud, Idol came out and gave the crowd “Dancing with Myself” and “White Wedding.” I’m sure that was planned, but concertgoers ate it up!
By now, a full house was in place when Eddie Vedder came out to thank everyone for coming out and was very thankful that the next band came to play his “little show.” He then brought out one of the biggest bands on the planet – from Mexico – Maná!
It was unreal how many fans they had – I was not familiar with the band, I only knew their name, but people were losing their minds – I was about to be schooled. After all, this was Ohana’s first Latin rock band to play the festival.
Out came lead singer, Fher Olvera, Juan Calleros on bass, Sergio Vallin on guitar and their acrobatic drummer, Alex Gonzalez.
They delivered fan favorites, a Santana cover, “Corazon Espinado,” “Labios Compatidos,” and “Mariposa Traicionera.”
Olvera was solid behind the mic, and drummer Alex Gonzalez did this crazy flip behind the drumkit that left us all speechless. The band proved to all why they are one of the biggest bands on the planet and why Vedder was so thankful they played the show.
The sun had given way to the envious moon and had the best seat in the house. The closing was advertised as Eddie Vedder and friends.
Vedder came out and sat with his acoustic guitar and sang a few songs – “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter,” “Far Behind,” and then was joined by Simon Good and belted out “Song of Good Hope” which he dedicated longtime friend the late Glen Hansard.
Vedder was then joined by Billy Idol and both gave a heartfelt rendition of The Who’s, “I’m One.” He hit the right chord with the crowd with “Bee Girl,” with Jeff Ament.
Then his Pearl Jam pals surprised everyone and joined him on stage as they went into “Corduroy.”
It was solid PJ moment with some of our favorite songs, “Wishlist,” “Dark Matter,” “Even Flow,” “Dissident,” and they closed a perfect day of music with “Alive!”
On day two: The sun was in full force, but no one seemed to care. The dress code was boho with western influence perhaps hinting at the later artists. The sandals were everywhere, but with more boots than I would expect from a festival on the beach. Marlon Funaki slowed things down with his psychedelia and indie rock set including my personal favorite, “When Sunday Comes Around.”
Stephen Wilson Jr. played “Preacher’s Kid” on a stage decorated with flowers, and spent a good portion of his set explaining how you can always depend on a guy named Gary, before starting his song with the same name. He quoted Steven Tyler saying his dreams have truly out dreamt him, told a story about his first kiss, then jumped the rail to play from the sound stage. Eddie Vedder joined him on stage as they covered “Hunger Strike” by Temple of the Dog.
Courtesy of C3 Presents | Photo by Ismael Quintanilla
Men I Trust had a bassline I could feel in my chest as they played their set. They started with “To Ease You,” “Come Back Down,” and later “TailWip.”
The entire set felt like someone had placed a pale blue twilight filter over the sunny late afternoon. They ended with their hit “Show Me How,” and you could smell the Ocean in the air.
Courtesy of C3 Presents | Photo by Roger Ho
Jon Batiste opened big and never let up. He played piano, sax, drums, and ended up live mixing.
He brought out gospel singers, covered “Won’t Back Down” and “Hallelujah,” played “When the Saints Go Marching In”on a melodica.
Courtesy of C3 Presents | Photo by Ashley Osborn
The Alabama Shakes made a big entrance. Brittany Howard led the way. Through the performance it looked like you could see the music being made in her head. Performing “Rise to the Sun,“ “Hold On,” and “Sound and Color.” The sunset was gorgeous, almost nobody was recording, and the set briefly stopped when two guys faked throwing up to get themselves to the front.
Through the performance it was as if I could see the music being made in her head. They opened with “Rise to the Sun” into “Hang Loose” and “I Ain’t the Same,” then pulled from their new record “I Must Be Dreaming“ with “Time,” ” I Feel Hope Coming,” and “Another Life. “
Courtesy of C3 Presents | Photo by Dusana Karam
“Boys & Girls,” and “Dunes” led into “Sound & Color,” which was the moment the whole field went still. Alabama Shakes closed out with “Gimme All Your Love,” “American Dream,” “Don’t Wanna Fight,” and “Always Alright.”
Tyler Childers entered the Ohana stage, He opened with “Eatin’ Big Time,” “Oneida,” “Dirty Ought Trill,” and “Whitehouse Road.” At some point a giant blue volleyball passed around until it reached the stage, and we promptly lost volleyball privileges.
Courtesy of C3 Presents | Photo by Roger Ho
Day three was humid more than hot, and calmer in a way that did not quite match the punk and grunge on the bill. The crowd skewed older, mostly men in black ball caps and an understandable number of Pearl Jam shirts.
Pluralone opened day three, followed by Speed of Light and Horsegirl, with Villanelle, Linka Moja, Tom Odell, and Ecca Vandal spread across the afternoon. The early sets were short and stuck to the hits.
Courtesy of C3 Presents | Photo by Dusana Karam
By 3:00 a crowd had formed in front of the main Ohana stage and would not move. They had claimed their spot for the later acts of Fontaines D.C. and Pearl Jam and come hell or high water nobody was giving it up.
Rilo Kiley followed with “The Execution of All Things,” opened the set with “Spectacular Views,” “The Moneymaker” and “Dreamworld.” Jenny Lewis ran her voice through a noise mixer, and about halfway through there was a sharp vibe change for one song, with the guitarist taking lead vocals before handing it back.
As dusk settled in, Eddie Vedder announced the Pixies set, by then the sunset was spectacular. The opened with “Gouge Away,” to “Debaser,” and their Jesus and Mary Chain cover of “Head On.” Joey Santiago drank tea between songs, Emma Richardson played a mean bass, and David Lovering pounded the drums all day.
Black Francis had largely lost his voice, Eddie Vedder came out to join them on “Wave of Mutilation” and the crowd went wild. “Here Comes Your Man” and “Where Is My Mind?” both turned into singalongs, and if lighters were allowed, I am certain they would have been lit.
Courtesy of C3 Presents | Photo by Ismael Qintanilla
Fontaines D.C. was one of the bands I was most excited to see and I was not alone with the band’s shirts outnumbering everything except Pearl Jam. The Ohana Festival alum played in an afternoon spot in 2019, and here they were again this time at the time of day that matched their music. D.C came out hard with “Nabokov,” “Boys in the Better Land” and “Marianne.”
Grian Chatten was a fantastic frontman, running the stage, switching instruments seamlessly. “I should stop talking before you get to know me,” he told the crowd that night. Before he continued into “It’s Amazing to Be Young,” “Roman Holiday,” “Bug“ and “Jackie Down the Line.” For the Fontaines D.C. fans, it was a perfect night culminating with “Starburster.” It was simply amazing.
Pearl Jam was up next. The stage was stripped to almost nothing – no set dressing, just the band. A memorial video played for Glen Hansard, Vedder’s close friend. The Earthlings guitarist, and common figure of Ohana Fest, died in a motorcycle crash on July 29th at 56. Vedder got choked up, and it was a touching tribute.
Photo Courtesy of C3 Presents | Photo by Roger Ho
Vedder started their set with “Given to Fly,” into “Daughter,” and “Dissident” was also a crowd favorite. Before “Even Flow,” Vedder said, “This one is from back in the day when we were just a pretty good band.” After “Wreckage,” Billy Strings came out for a solo rendition “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town.” Other notable songs included “Running,” “Jeremy,” “Black,” “Better Man” and PJ closed with “Yellow Ledbetter.”
In the end, 15,000 to 20,000 fans came out on each day of this year’s festival and no matter what your genre was, there was something there for you. Another epic show in Doheny, concertgoers left with an eagerness to hear news on who is playing next year!
FESTIVAL PHOTO GALLERY
by Green-Eyed Blonde Photography
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October 1, 2026UncategorizedOctober 1st, 2026 by Amaris Becker
102.7 KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball will return to Intuit Dome on December 4th, and the lineup makes the drive to Inglewood feel worth it. Olivia Rodrigo, Hilary Duff, RAYE, OneRepublic, The Beaches, SIENNA SPIRO, Freya Skye, Bella Kay, and Stella Lefty are all on the bill.
Jingle Ball has been around longer than some of the acts in this year’s lineup. It was founded in 1995, and KIIS FM has been running the Los Angeles version since 2000, bouncing between the Shrine Auditorium, Staples Center, and the Honda Center before settling at Intuit Dome in 2024. Since 2011 it has been a national tour, and this year it hits nine cities; LA will be second on that list.
Is there anyone hotter than headliner Olivia Rodrigo right now? The 23-year-old has had an extremely productive year. In addition to releasing her third album,
“You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love,” she launched Daisy Chain Fields, her all-women festival, which drew 45,000 people to Great Park in Irvine and raised $20 million for organizations supporting women and girls.
She just kicked off her sold out Unraveled tour and fans are losing their minds over the staging and setlist.
In the three years since “Guts,” she has built a name for herself as a genuinely great live performer with her own creative and personal vision. I remember watching her on Disney channel and I am constantly in awe of all she has and will continue to accomplish.
Hilary Duff is a fellow Disney alum and she spent roughly 15 years away from music before returning to it. For anyone who grew up on “A Cinderella Story” and “Lizzie McGuire,” this performance is going to be somewhere between nostalgia and pure excitement.
RAYE might be the most interesting name on the list. The British singer spent years signed to a major label, went independent, made “My 21st Century Blues,” and then swept the BRIT Awards with a record haul.
“Escapism” was inescapable for a reason and “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND” has resonated with so many fans – old and new. She is a genuinely amazing vocalist in a lineup built for pop radio, and I suspect she will steal the night.
OneRepublic rounds out the heavy hitters. Ryan Tedder has written a frankly unreasonable portion of the last 20 years of pop music for other people and is once again going to take the spotlight.
The Canadian girl band, The Beaches, along with SIENNA SPIRO, Freya Skye, Bella Kay, and Stella Lefty fill out the rising artist slots, which is where Jingle Ball earns its reputation, showcasing the new faces of pop and radio hits.
One dollar from every ticket sold will go to Ryan Seacrest Foundation, which builds media studios centered around creative expression inside pediatric hospitals.
Jingle Ball is not a subtle event. It is loud and built for the roughly 18,000 people Intuit Dome can hold, and it’s completely aware of what it is: The unofficial start of the holidays in Los Angeles. A lineup like this one makes it worth braving what Southern California views as cold to kick off the holiday season right.
Presales are happening now for Capital One cardholders, but all other tickets go on sale tomorrow at 12 p.m. local time.
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October 1, 2026UncategorizedAnnounces (sic)est Stadium Tour
October 1st, 2026 by Derek Tobias
Slipknot has officially announced the (sic)est Stadium Tour, a massive worldwide stadium production set to dominate 2027.
The tour launches July 3rd at London’s historic Wembley Stadium and spans the globe with North American, South American, and European dates, marking one of the most ambitious tours in the band’s nearly three-decade career.
To make this tour even more insane, Slipknot has recruited Bring Me the Horizon as direct support on all North American dates, a massive partnership that underscores the scale and prestige of this production.
BMTH’s inclusion signals the caliber of this tour: two of modern rock’s most innovative and dynamic bands sharing a bill across the continent’s biggest stages. The tour also features a rotating cast of special guests including Acid Bath, Lamb of God, Motionless in White, Lorna Shore, Kublai Khan TX, Polyphia, Loathe, and Vended.
Slipknot has promised a brand-new set, revolutionary staging, and a setlist spanning their entire career.
This is positioned as the ultimate Slipknot experience to date, nearly three decades of crushing performances distilled into an unprecedented live spectacle.
For Southern California fans, Slipknot brings the spectacle to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on August 13th, 2027, with Bring Me the Horizon on direct support and Loathe as a special guest.
But LA fans had something even more special on September 28th: an exclusive launch event where they celebrated the tour announcement in real time.
Hundreds of fans gathered at SoFi Stadium for early ticket access and a once-in-a-lifetime moment, witnessing a 30-foot-high flaming Slipknot tribal S symbol ignited against the sunset.
It was a visceral, unmissable celebration of the band’s return to the biggest stages. More importantly for eager fans: they secured tickets before the rest of the world, getting first dibs on the best seats before artist presales and general on sale went live.
The LA event reflected what makes Slipknot unique in heavy metal. They didn’t just announce a tour via press release or put up a few billboards; they brought fans together in person to light the fire, literally and figuratively.
For those who were there, it was a reminder that this band still commands the loyalty and excitement they’ve built over 28 years, and that the (sic)est Stadium Tour is going to be unmissable.
General ticket on sale is tomorrow at 10 a.m. local time. Grab your mask and get ready to rock – loud!
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September 29, 2026UncategorizedBringing Antmusic Back to SoCal
September 29th, 2026 by Shane Pase
On November 13th, Adam Ant takes the stage at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside for one of the final dates of his current tour. For fans who have been following the reports coming in from his recent shows, there is plenty of reason to be excited about this one.
Ant has been back on American stages throughout 2026, and the response has been enthusiastic. Recent reviews have praised both Ant and his band for delivering a show with plenty of energy, driven by the pounding dual-drum sound that has always been such an important part of his music.
This isn’t a night built around a handful of familiar songs surrounded by filler. Ant has been reaching across his career and putting together sets that remind you just how much incredible music he has to work with.
Recent performances have included “Dog Eat Dog,” “Vive le Rock,” “Friend or Foe,” “Prince Charming,” “Desperate But Not Serious,” and “Kings of the Wild Frontier.” Then there are the songs practically guaranteed to get the entire theater involved: “Antmusic,” “Goody Two Shoes” and “Stand and Deliver.”
It’s an impressive collection of songs from an artist who never sounded quite like anyone else.
Adam and the Ants came out of London’s late-’70s punk scene, but Ant quickly created something entirely his own. Punk and glam mixed with pop hooks, Western-style guitar, theatrical style, and those unmistakable drums. By the early 1980s, Adam Ant had become one of the biggest British artists of the era and one of the defining faces of the emerging music-video generation.
But the reason to see Adam Ant in 2026 isn’t simply to revisit that history. These songs work live. “Kings of the Wild Frontier” still has that huge rhythmic attack. “Antmusic” remains wonderfully strange and ridiculously catchy. “Stand and Deliver” has the kind of chorus that seems designed for a packed theater to sing back at the stage. And if he brings the later hit “Wonderful” that will be an extra special treat.
The Riverside date also comes at an interesting point in the tour. The Fox show is currently scheduled as Ant’s second-to-last appearance of 2026, followed the next night by Darker Waves in Huntington Beach.
That makes Riverside one of the final opportunities of the year to catch the full Adam Ant show in a theater setting. And the Fox should be a great room for it.
There is something different about hearing songs you’ve known for decades played live, surrounded by hundreds of people who know every beat and every word right along with you. With a deep catalog, a powerful live band and a tour that has been earning strong reviews along the way, Adam Ant’s November 13th stop has all the pieces for a fantastic night.
Get ready, Riverside. Antmusic is coming to town.
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September 28, 2026UncategorizedReady to Trick or Treat to the Beat
September 28th, 2026 by Kevin Gomez
All systems go! The Aquabats are back to haunt your October and this time on a much larger scale. Last year the OC ska-punk superheroes hosted the inaugural Trick or Treat to the Beat – four concerts that were “a Halloween costume party freak out.” With two shows in October and two in November, they featured support from Home Grown, Left Alone, and Mike V and the Rats.
This year the boys decided to triple that number playing nearly a dozen shows through October around the West Coast. Openers will be shifting each night, with three chances to catch this tour in Southern California.
The tour kicks off October 1st in Chico, California with openers CJ Ramone and the Fast Movers and Sullvn. The Aquabats will be stopping by The Glass House in Pomona on October 16th with Sullvn and an opener to be determined. They will stop by The Observatory North Park in San Diego with Mariachi El Bronx and Mrs. Magician on October 23rd. The tour will conclude October 24th at the House of Blues Anaheim with Manic Hispanic and Mrs. Magician.
It’s really a lot of fun – the usual incredible live show from The Aquabats with even more people decked out in costumes than normal. With support CJ Ramone, Mariachi El Bronx, and Manic Hispanic – all three legit headliners on their own – this is going to be one spooky event you don’t want to miss.
And yet, perhaps the one special show I’m most excited about is not one of the Trick or Treat to the Beat shows.
The band also announced that just days before the October 16th Glass House show, they will be performing at The Glass House on October 10th, but this show will be specifically The Aquabats! Tribute to the Cure!
I’ve been fortunate enough to catch this act a few times before, most recently this past May when they supported Sweet & Tender Hooligans. The normally cheerful and bouncy Aquabats do a dead-on gloomy impression note for note tribute to all your favorite Cure songs. At the conclusion of the performance that night, lead singer MC Bat Commander announced how much fun the band has when they play these shows and promised they would be playing them more.
Tickets are on sale now, so grab them and then start planning your own costumes!
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September 27, 2026UncategorizedAnnounce First Album in Nine Years
CARNAVAL DE LUZ
September 27th, 2026 by Traci Turner
U2 is back, baby! The Irish rockers are ready to blast our ears with some Spanish flair this time when they deliver “Carnaval De Luz,” their 16th studio album and the first album of new material in nine years.
The release drops November 13th, and they gave us a taste with “Silencio,” an all-new track that kicks off with solid bass and throws in some f-bombs.
It has been 50 years since the lads – Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. – joined forces in Dublin to become the voice of Gen X and future Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. Twenty-two Grammys and more than 170 million albums sold… yes, they are kind of a big deal. They were even named Persons of the year by MusicCares!
As for the new album, the band said it was “recorded all over the place” and the 12 songs explore “themes of spirituality, friendship, freedom and endurance in the face of dark, encroaching forces.” I mean, it’s U2, it won’t be bubblegum. But judging by “Silencio,” it will be fantastically rock, perhaps with some surf punk?
In July, they released “Street of Dreams,” the first song from the new album. But U2 also gave fans two EPs this year: “Days of Ash” and “Easter Lily.” “Carnaval De Luz” was recorded during the same era but falls “before them in timeline.”
In their words: “Carnival, a celebration of the flesh, ‘carne,’ before the denial that is Lent, a period of reflection, and the rebirth of Easter. The song connecting the album and two EPs is the final track on the new album, ‘Torn,’ a duet between Bono and the late, great Dolly Parton, in what has sadly turned out to be her last recorded vocal performance.”
CARNAVALDE LUZ
The Edge said, “It’s a messy, provocative, sacred collection of songs — and features the first-ever use of flat-wound strings on a U2 recording. Just saying.”
Bono said, “Roll up, roll up, roll up! Bring your purple socks, your broken hearts, your rose-tinted naivety… oh be amazed in the hall of mirrors. There will be loud guitars, deep bass, some ecstatic rhythms and, yes, some silver tears will make an appearance!”
He went on, “‘Cause in the near distance just outside our carnival of light there are all kinds of creatures… the same imagination that brings us our creativity can also bring us monsters. So we make the drums louder. We build a bigger fire. We make our stories wilder and funnier. We make the melodies sweeter and the songs, they better shine, because if the world is in darkness we better not be.”
As usual, U2 is too smart for little ole me, but damn if “Silencio” isn’t a bop.
“Carnaval De Luz” will be available in multiple formats including limited edition sets and “Coloured & Bespoke Vinyl,” plus the standards. Preorder now and count the days until November13th.
Now… will we see a tour in 2027?
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September 24, 2026UncategorizedGODSMACK & STP
Delivers The Rise of Rock Tour
September 25th, 2026 Review by Jimmy Alvarez
September 17th, 2026 will be a night I remember for a while. It’s been a minute since I got to see Sully Erna and the cats from Godsmack wreck a stage.
It’s been an even longer minute since I saw Stone Temple Pilots on any stage. Needless to say, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but whatever is would be – it would be.
As I rolled in, the near capacity crowd was filled with the type of fans you would expect, 40-something year olds up to 70-something year olds.
Then I started to notice something I did not expect, 20-something year olds and teenagers. Then it dawned on me – the opener, Dorothy!
Dorothy Martin is a fairly new face to the scene, but not too new. I caught her once before, and she definitely is a force with many, many years of sonic domination in her future. As the lights dimmed, she took the stage with command.
The teens sitting next to me lost their minds. She opened with “Down to the Bottom,” and followed with an electrifying set of her “Flawless” catalog.
My takeaway from her performance was she had pipes, wow, that girl could belt out a song. She certainly would “Raise Hell,” as everyone got “Whisky Fever,” “After Midnight,” before she ended her short set with “Rest in Peace,” and “Medicine Man.”
I give the road crew much credit because it took no time to get the stage ready for STP. As mentioned, it’s been a very long minute since I saw them last – Scott Weiland was behind the mic, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. As the light dimmed, Eric Kretz got behind the drum kit, out came the DeLeo brothers, Robert on bass and Dean on lead guitar followed by lead singer, Jeff Gutt.
The crowd cheered and got to its feet, Gutt walked up to the front of the stage and belted out an all-familiar verse… “I am smelling like the rose that somebody gave me on my birthday deathbed!” Holy shit, the crowd exploded – it went absolutely nuts as STP was back with “Dead and Bloated” with a segue into “Wicked Garden.”
The band sounded as live as ever, and Gutt definitely had the vocal chops for the gig. As the song ended, he thanked everyone for coming out, Dorothy for opening and Godsmack for having them on the tour. He then introduced the band and then himself. He said, “and I’m Jeff Gutt.” But he said it phonetically … “goot.” He then said, “So das goot!” That made everyone laugh, and Gutt even laughed at what he said.
Then, the hit parade took off, “Vasoline,” “Big Bang Baby,” “Big Empty,” and “Plush” sounded simply amazing.
The DeLeo brothers were in fine form and it felt like it was the ‘90s again – they sound that good. “Plush” and “Interstate Love Song” made even the teens sitting next to me scream!
What happened next was classy and brought a sense of community to the entire arena. Gutt paid homage to Scott Weiland and said he wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for him and thanked him. The crowd felt the sincerity and applauded as “Crackerman” took over Honda Center.
Truth be told, the vocals were spot on, but the onstage wasn’t Weiland, and I think that was the point. Gutt wasnlt trying to mimic Weiland, he was being himself, and that was “goot!”
We could have been there all night, STP was on fire, they sounded great and Gutt was classy as he was the right guy to lead this band behind the mic. STP was loud, electric and very memorable.
They closed the night with two crowd favorites, “Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart” and a final blast, “Sex Type Thing.” I wasn’t sure what to expect, what I got was a very-very good surprise.
Again, hats off to the road crew because almost immediately the Godsmack curtain came down and they started working on the stage. Once it dropped the lights dimmed, it was a simple stripped-down set with an epic light show.
As soon as the Massachusetts rockers took the stage, everyone came to their feet.
Erna stood front and center and launched us into his own form of bedlam with “Surrender,” “You and I,” “1000php,” and “Cryin’ Like a Bitch!”
Sporting his standard black ensemble, his bandmates were on fire, Robbie Merrill was slappin’ the bass and Sam Koltun was shredding on lead guitar. They launched into more chaos with “Awake,” and “When Legends Rise.”
Erna then introduced the band – and then it was back to the mayhem. “Keep Away,” “Come Together” and “Speak” were booming, you could feel the percussion throughout your body.
Other notable moments included their delivery of “Love-Hate-Sex-Pain,” and then the moment that nearly brought the house down…. Those words: “I’m not the one who’s so far away when I feel the snake bite enter my veins.” A creepier opening to a song has never existed. The crowd went off to “Voodoo.”
You would think that was it, right? No, there was more – “Batalla de los Tambores,” featured melodies from songs we all know, “Back in Black,” “Walk this Way,” “Enter Sandman,” “Moby Dick” and “Tom Sawyer.” The crowd just ate that up. Then, Erna and the gang blew the roof off with their megahit “Whatever.”
That was as loud, booming and bone-crushing a delivery of any song I have heard in some time.
It was a perfect end to a perfect night of really loud music!
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Green-Eyed Blonde Photography
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September 24, 2026UncategorizedGet Ready for
Ska-Punk from Panama!
September 24th, 2026 by Jimmy Alvarez
There are bands that are part of history, then there are the bands that make history. This story is about one that IS history. They are lean, they are mean, and they pack a punch – they are Los Rabanes, or as their fans love them – Rabanes!
We cover stories that circle the world of rock, punk, and ska, and this story will be all that and a little more. Bands like The Specials, Madness, Sublime, Reel Big Fish, and the Bosstones all made music history. Rabanes is part of that pantheon of kick-ass ska and punk bands. The twist – these cats are my fellow countrymen; they are a Panamanian, Latin Grammy Award-winning ska-punk band. That’s right, ska-punk and a little bit of a few other things.
Like all the greats, they deliver the recognizable ska and punk elements in their sonic vision, and their tunes come to us in English and Spanish – that’s the twist that makes them special and beloved worldwide.
Rabanes has been around for over two decades and with seven albums to their credit, the emergence of Latin ska-punk and ska-core has elevated their standing with fans of the genre everywhere on the planet.
Rabanes features Emilio Regueira Pérez (vocals, guitar), Christian “Pipón” Torres (vocals, bass guitar), Javier Saavedra (drums), and Randy “Salsa” Cuevas (keys). Their collective energy and electro-boom is unreal. Collectively, they are the personification of electricity and high octane!
The tunes their fans love to love and scream for include, “Señorita a mi me gusta su Style,” “My Commanding Wife,” “Perfidia,” “Te Jodiste,” “Bam Bam,” “La Vida,” “Ella Se Mueve Cruel,” “Latin Ska,” there is their boombastic cover of Eddy Grant’s “Electric Avenue” and then there’s my personal favorite, “La Granja!”
The Panamanian Homies of ska-punk are coming to SoCal on a West Coast tour. The run kicks off with a massive home-turf celebration on November 5th at El After Social Club in San Diego. Then, they head up the I-5 on November 6th to skank the night away. Where you ask? At The Top in Long Beach.
Tour support for Rabanes will be Marujah, the locals will love, love, love them as their sound is very reminiscent of Boingo – in fact John Avila produced their hit single, “Dia de Los Muertos.”
If you want to have the time of your life, and see what all the fuss is about, Latin rock, ska and punk en español – check out this tour!
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