KROQ’s ALMOST ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS LIVE AT KIA FORUM
The 32nd Annual
KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas
Live at Kia Forum
December 15, 2023 Review by Jimmy Alvarez
The year was 1989 when I attended what was called the KROQ Christmas Bash at Universal Amphitheater. Well, needless to say this show and its namesake has come a very long way since then.
In more recent years, KROQ has gone through its own metamorphosis so-to-speak; changes came in the form of ownership to music programming and even the beloved voices we’ve admired for decades. With a morning show that has proven themselves, and a Program Director that has put the station back on track, I was beyond interested in seeing how this year’s event would go over with concertgoers.
The 2023 lineup had great new faces along with some legendary voices. The 32nd Annual Almost Acoustic Christmas was held at Kia Forum and it was initially billed to have Red Hot Chili Peppers as the headliner along with The Offspring, Garbage, Bleachers, Portugal. The Man, Lovejoy, Cannons. Bakar, and The Beaches.
We all know by now that RHCP guitarist John Frusciante broke a finger, and therefore the Chili’s could not play. Being the classy guys they are, and with KROQ leadership supporting it, the Chilis would be back March 2nd to play for the crowd. Longtime KROQ juggernauts 311 took their place.
What’s cool about this event is that KROQ and their parent (Audacy) made sure that their Almost Acoustic Christmas show benefited two local organizations dedicated to supporting local youth education – Para Los Niños and Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center – as well as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in partnership with Kia America.
I was fortunate enough to catch up with the bands and asked them a few questions about the show. Nick Hexum from 311 was very excited to be playing. He said it’s always surreal to be playing in a place like the Forum, and being it’s KROQ’s Christmas show, that made it even sweeter. For 311 fans, it looks like we can expect new tunes from them in 2024!
As for Garbage, Shirley Manson said she loves events like this, and this one means a lot to many people for many different reasons. She said they were delighted that they could play for all these people coming to the Forum. She went on to say she is so appreciative of KROQ for the support they have given them the last 30 years. Butch Vig also mentioned they are working on new material but couldn’t say more than that. So maybe new music in 2024? Let’s cross our fingers on that.
32nd Annual | ALMOST ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS
As for The Offspring, Dexter and Noodles said this event is a blast. When asked about what they are looking forward too, they both said they want to check out a few other bands, and just playing for this crowd.
They said they are grateful for the response to their last album and want to put on a great show for everyone. They are so inspired by how much love they have received for “Let The Bad Times Role.” We did not talk dates, but looks like we may be looking at more new tunes from The Offspring camp as well.
As for the show itself, the bands brought it. Sure, they all played the songs the crowd wanted to hear, but for me, I was impressed by how good of musicians these younger bands are. The stage set was insanely cool, and with a huge video screen behind the bands, it made the event look larger-than-life.
From Canada, The Beaches killed it I thought. They opened the show with songs we could all sing along to, “Cigarette,” “Blame Brett,” and “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid.”
Also impressive was British crooner, Bakar. He found a very appreciative crowd that responded enthusiastically.
Bakar had a nice soothing delivery to his performance, and he looked very comfortable in front of the capacity Forum crowd. As a true showman, he took us to “Hell N Back.”
LA-based natives Cannons felt at home and showed it in their performance. They owned the stage and the crowd responded as if they were long time friends.
They cheered away to  “Bad Dream,” “Hurricane,” and “Fire for You.”
The band I was very interested in checking out was Lovejoy. These Brits had an eerie resemblance to Echo & the Bunnymen in their early days.
I did speak with them briefly and they were just excited to be playing this great show, and they did a fantastic job. Look out for big things from this band.
They entertained us with “Perfume,” “The Fall,” and their mega-hit, “Normal People Things.”
Another show highlight was Jack Antonoff and Bleachers. I had not seen this band before, and I was pleasantly surprised just how good they were. Antonoff put on a outstanding, high-energy performance, often engaging with the crowd, and the two sax players was over-the-top cool.
The crowd got what they wanted; songs like “I Wanna Get Better,” “Rollercoaster,” their current hit, “Modern Girl,” and “Stop Making This Hurt” had the crowd screaming for more. Â
Portugal. The Man were also pumped for this one. They too had the KROQ diehards up and on their feet shaking all that they could to songs like through “Creep in a T-Shirt,” “People Say,” “Summer of Luv,” “Modern Jesus,” and they closed with “Feel It Still.” There was a very loud roar for that one.
It was now 9 p.m. and time for Garbage. I have seen this band a few times, but who knew this would be such an eventful night. Shortly after they started their set, and ironically after “Stupid Girl,” two young ladies got into it and Manson took notice. Â
She stopped the show and laid into the girls with an “F Bomb” laced scolding. Saying “Stop, stop, knock this shit off, what the fuck is wrong with you?! I don’t know what the story is and quite frankly, I don’t care… there’s enough bullshit in this world without someone going agro at a fucking Christmas party!”
Manson directed security to remove the two girls so they could work out their issues, then said they had cut into their 30 minutes, “so get it sorted.” After a minute or two, back into it they went.
She was amped for sure, which made for a great transition to “#1 Crush,” followed by “Only Happy When It Rains.“
With the crowd losing their minds over the bad-ass that is Shirley Manon, Garbage closed with “Push It.”
Up next was 311. The band sounded as tight as ever, and their video program was uber-cool. Hexum and SA Martinez were in great form, and they belted out the hits. They opened with “Beautiful Disaster,” “All Mixed Up,” “Do You Right,” and the crowd lost its mind to “Come Original!”
Hexum looked and sounded incredible, whatever it is they are drinking in Nebraska, they need to bottle it because 311 was on fire.
They played on to more fan favorites, “Amber,” “Creatures (For a While),” before they called it night to “Down.”
After a short intermission, The Offspring took to the stage. When I say the band looked and sounded great, that is an understatement.
With the most time to play, The Offspring delivered on their music catalog, which the crowd loved.
Opening to “Come Out and Play,” then “All I want,” the crowd went nuts and the moshing began. Then, copious amounts of balls were unleashed on the crowd. Being the jokesters they are, Dexter exclaimed, “That’s too many balls,” after one hit his mic. A collective laugh was heard throughout the Forum.
What I love about The Offspring is they do put different spins on their songs at times. As for “Want You Bad,” they played a organ laced opening to “Want You Bad,” it kind of sounded like the George Michael opening to “Faith,” but it evolved into distinctive Offspring. It just sounded way-way cool. Â
The crowd just couldn’t get enough of the hit parade; they were on their feet the entire set, singing along to “Why Don’t You Get a Job?, “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy,” “The Kids Aren’t Alright,” “You’re Gonna Go Far Kid,” before calling it a night to “Self Esteem.”
The crowd couldn’t have been happier, and for KROQ and Audacy – well done. Look out for more exciting events coming from them in 2024!
We already know we can look forward to another kick-ass event coming March 2nd – courtesy of The World Famous KROQ!
