The House of Blues in Anaheim was ablaze with punk rock on the night of February 22, as Alkaline Trio took the stage for an unforgettable performance, supported by the energetic openers The Worriers and Drug Church.
The Worriers kicked off the night with a high-energy set that immediately set the tone for the evening. The Brooklyn-based punk rockers delivered a raw and passionate performance, capturing the audience's attention with their infectious hooks and socially charged lyrics. Lauren Denitzio's powerful vocals and the band's tight instrumentation left a lasting impression, earning them a warm reception from the growing crowd. Sitting in on drums for Alkaline trio's Atom Willard, was Jordyn Blakely.
Following The Worriers, Drug Church took the stage with a relentless onslaught of hardcore punk. The band's intense and gritty sound resonated through the venue, creating an atmosphere of controlled chaos. Drug Church's performance was a perfect blend of aggression and precision, leaving the audience pumped up and ready for the headlining act.
As the House of Blues reached its peak anticipation, Alkaline Trio exploded onto the stage, greeted by a wave of cheers from the devoted crowd. Matt Skiba, Dan Andriano, and Atom Willard wasted no time launching into a setlist that spanned their extensive discography. Opening with a live debut of "Hot for Preacher" and classic track "We've Had Enough," the band instantly had the audience singing along and thrashing to the beat.
The chemistry between Skiba and Andriano was palpable, showcasing their years of musical collaboration. The band effortlessly shifted between heart-wrenching ballads and high-energy anthems, keeping the audience engaged and emotionally invested throughout the night. Tracks like "Bloodied Up," which hadn't been preformed live since 2015, and "Burned is the House," last performed in 2011, had the long time hard core fans going wild.
Atom Willard provided a high energy performance, and with more than the usual lighting you would see for the drummer, became the focal point of the show, and he gave quite a show.
The band's stage presence was enhanced by a captivating light show, adding a visual dimension to their already powerful performance. Alkaline Trio's connection with the audience was evident as they interacted between songs, sharing anecdotes and expressing gratitude for the unwavering support of their fans.