|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
LIVE AT
In-N-Out Burger Sound Space at KROQ
August 2nd, 2026 Review by Stuart Karpel
The setting of KROQ’s newly branded In-N-Out Sound Space made for a perfect hot-day matinee of the legendary band, Joyce Manor. As people enjoyed their In-N-Out burgers on a Monday afternoon, they lined the block around the building in anticipation of the show’s start – the excitement filling the air.
Once everyone got their wristbands at the check-in desk, they flooded the VIP lounge, grabbing coconut-flavored Dr Peppers on the way in. No matter what conversations were shared between friends and peers alike, the only shared thought on everybody’s mind was: “How soon will the show begin?”
As concertgoers were led into the studio, they raced to get as close to the stage as possible. It became unmistakable that in only a few moments of time, the whole room would be filled with the hometown band’s enduring punk spirit.
But before the music began, KROQ’s Megan Holiday and Kevin Ryder brought the core band members, Barry Johnson, Chase Knobbe, and Matt Ebert to the stage for a brief interview. While discussing their recent performance at the Vans Warped Tour in Long Beach and previewing their upcoming concert at the Kia Forum (January 23rd and 27th, 2027), super-fans were “wooo”-ing in response. It seemed as if they had already booked their tickets and packed their cars for the drive to Inglewood.
Holiday and Ryder then switched the topic of conversation to the trio’s latest album, “I Used to Go to This Bar,” asking what it had been like to work with Brett Gurewitz, co-founder of the sensational band Bad Religion as well as the current owner of Epitaph Records. Johnson immediately gave him his flowers as he said Gurewitz helped the band with almost every project for the past 14 years, so when it came to producing their newest album, the only thought was, “It should be like Manson… we went ‘Rancid-mode.’”
Then came the final question of the “True or False” portion of the interview: “You guys are gonna play in a minute, right?” Of course they answered, “True,” and from there, the band walked off stage for a short intermission, and it was showtime.
Starting with “I Know Where Mark Chen Lives,” “Falling in Love Again,” and “Beach Community,” the group effortlessly set the scene for the rest of the show with their incredibly catchy melodies and easily relatable lyricism.
It wasn’t long before a mosh pit formed near the stage, creating a shared momentum of intense vulnerability and catharsis. As the room filled with expressive-punk music, the venue transformed into a group of people free of anxiety, harmoniously headbanging to every beat of the drums.
Halfway through their performance, they slowed the pace down with “Big Lie,” put between quicker-tempo tracks like “NBTSA” and “The Jerk.” The emotionally charged lyrics, originally produced to support the arts in public schools, became the moment of the day where everybody in the room felt like all their problems were being heard.
Before the show concluded with a “thank you” to KROQ, they played some of their most popular songs: “Schley,” “Constant Headache,” and “Catalina Fight Song” of course. At one point during the finale, a fan crowdsurfed across a field of hands from the back of the mosh pit to the front of the stage, likely manifesting a story they’ll tell for years after.
Unlike a large concert hall, the intimacy of the KROQ Sound Space made every sound bounce off the walls, from laughter-filled conversations amongst long-lasting friendships to the intense guitar riffs that truly characterized the expectation of their melodic punk anthems.
The rockstar attitude of Barry Johnson pairs amazingly with the instruments of his modest yet incredibly talented peers, Knobbe and Ebert. They’re absolutely dominating the world of modern punk music so when you see their name on a marquee that’s held the biggest artists and athletes ever, there should be no doubt how great their performances are.
Their live sound is just as unique and powerful as their recorded music, so go get your tickets for their next show at the Forum ASAP!
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by @skylerbarberio
TO FOLLOW
SID 260802 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
STUART KARPEL