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MIKE D 5D

Live from Observatory Santa Ana

October 6th, 2026 Review by Christina Sanchez

It’s not every day that you get to photograph a Beastie Boy, especially one of the founding members, but tonight was my lucky night.

The rap / hip hop / rock legends known as Beastie Boys formed in New York City in 1981 and frequently played the iconic club, Danceteria. It was there another legend – the one and only Madonna – discovered them and took them on the road in 1985. And yes, Danceteria is the same club her latest single is named after.

Back to Beastie Boys… While there have been other members, the core group we’ve known and loved consists of Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz, Adam “MCA” Yauch, and Michael “Mike D” Diamond. They have graced us with some amazing – and Grammy winning – tunes through the years, including “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!),” “Sure Shot,” “Intergalactic,” “Ch-Check It Out,” “No Sleep till Brooklyn,” “So What’cha Want,” and “Sabotage.” They would go on to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Sadly, in 2012 Adam Yauch passed away from cancer and the group disbanded with Diamond and Horovitz deciding they would no longer create any music under the band’s name.

While there was no longer Beastie Boys, Mike D wanted to continue to create music and formed a new band called Mike 5D. Which is what brings us to tonight…

As I entered the Observatory, I could see it was completely packed. It was mostly a mature-aged crowd, many of whom were decked out in Beastie Boys apparel.

The show began with LED screens flashing pictures and text of Mike D and 5D as the applause and anticipation grew.

As soon as Mike D walked out and took the stage, I knew he still had the goods. His timing and vocals were still on point, and they took me right back to the last time I saw the Beastie Boys play a show – Brisbane City Botanic Gardens in Australia back in 1999. It was one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

“Thank You” is Mike D’s first solo record, although he has been busy working as a music producer since the Beastie Boys disbanded. It is a solid record from front to back and I think fans of the Beastie Boys really missed his music and creativity.

Several singles from the album were released before the show, including “Thank You,” “Switch Up,” “What We Got,” and “Crypto.” It seemed like the crowd was already familiar with the new music and was enthusiastically singing along.

Up first in the set was a Beastie Boy’s song, “Hello Brooklyn.” I think it was a really smart move to come out of the gate with a familiar banger and the crowd erupted in response.

The rest of the set had a few Beastie Boy’s songs sprinkled in between his solo material.

For Beastie tracks, we had “Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun,” “3‐Minute Rule,” and “Body Movin.’”

Then he gave us his own songs, “What We Got,” “Crypto,” “Make It Stop,” “That’s Right,” “I Don’t Care,” “Switch Up,” “It’s Time,” “Secrets,” and “Thank You.”

When it was time for the encore, it was some more awesome tracks: “Mind Your Own Business,” a Delta 5 cover, and “So What’cha Want.” Hearing “So What’cha Want” as the last song definitely made everyone leave on a high note, still buzzing with energy.

Mike D solo, or with Beastie Boys – it was all incredible. What a fantastic night of music with an actual legend.

Mike D is still touring the US now and will spend the remainder of the fall in Europe. If you have the chance to see him, I cannot recommend it enough that you do!

SHOW PHOTO GALLERY

by Tiny Toyland

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