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Closes Out 2025 Tour at Kia Forum
November 11, 2025 Review by Joey Clark
There’s a reason Lord Huron concerts feel like journeys rather than performances. On November 2nd at Kia Forum, the Los Angeles-based indie folk band turned a massive arena into a memorable experience by combining music, creative lighting, and dance.
KIA FORUM
Inglewood, California
November 2nd, 2025
The show was the final date of their latest North American tour, and by the end of the night, it was clear that Lord Huron remains one of the most emotionally evocative live acts.
The band’s frontman and creative force, Ben Schneider, has always treated music as a storytelling medium. On stage, he’s both frontman and director, guiding the audience through a cinematic world that feels disconnected from time.
From the moment the lights dimmed and the opening notes of “Who Laughs Last” echoed through the Forum, the crowd was swept into that world. The stage was bathed in twilight hues while a haze of smoke curled upward, giving the feel of a campfire’s ember against a desert night.
Lord Huron’s prowess lies in their ability to build mood and the atmosphere was nothing short of transcendent. The visuals were expertly crafted and were woven into the fabric of the visual experience — the set pieces, the intricate lighting and dancers/actors complemented the music’s mystique.
Between songs, brief samples of ambient sound filled the air: the distant howl of wind, the echo of waves, the hum of something half-remembered. It wasn’t spectacle for spectacle’s sake; it was sonic world-building.
The setlist drew deeply from the band’s catalog, balancing the nostalgia of early favorites with the ambition of their newer work. “Ends of the Earth” and “The World Ender” resonated with familiarity, while songs from their more recent albums revealed a band unafraid to stretch their sound.
Schneider’s vocals were full and resonant, his phrasing precise but never rigid. When the band launched into “Twenty Long Years,” Schneider’s voice carried every line with conviction and sorrow leaving the audience in tears and quiet reflection.
Perhaps the most emotional moment of the night arrived during “The Night We Met.” It’s a song that has taken on a life of its own over the years, and as it was played live, it felt almost like a sacred hymn. As Schneider sang the opening lines, the crowd joined him in a quiet chorus that transformed into something other worldly. Thousands of voices became one — a rare moment of communal catharsis that few bands can conjure.
Throughout the night, the musicianship was immaculate. With Mark Barry on drums, Miguel Briseño on bass and keys, and Tom Renaud on guitar, nuance was given to every arrangement. The chemistry between them was fluid and instinctive, well-refined by years of collaboration.
Lord Huron accomplished the feat of making the venue feel intimate. The acoustics lent warmth to their reverb-drenched sound, allowing the subtleties of Schneider’s vocals and the band’s harmonies to coexist perfectly. The audience was deeply engaged; they were there to truly take in the show.
There’s a distinct feeling that is shared when Lord Huron performs in their hometown. You can sense the pride, the gratitude, and the deep connection between them and those in attendance.
Schneider was sure to note the importance of music in these troubling times. He asked us in the audience one favor, to listen to the band’s latest record, “The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1,” “front to back, the old school way.” Arguably, it’s the best homework assignment one could receive.
Lord Huron’s show at the Kia Forum was a homecoming, a celebration, and the perfect send off to their 2025 tour. The band managed to fill a massive space while maintaining the intimacy their loyal fanbase has grown accustomed to.
For a group that thrives on nostalgia and the metaphysical pull of memory, they sounded alive, ever-present, and forward-looking. Lord Huron continues to evolve without losing the timeless quality that first swept their devoted fans into their orbit.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Highway One Photography
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SID 251111 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
