On New Year’s Eve, Social Distortion headlined a sold-out show at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium, supported by opening acts Love Crimes and Riverside’s own The Bellrays. The event brought together fans from across the area for a night of high-energy rock and punk music, closing out 2024 in style.
Stephen Day
Love Crimes started the night with their raw punk sound, energizing the crowd with passionate vocals and tight instrumentals. Frontman Julian Ness has been open about his struggles with drug addiction and mental health challenges, themes that are woven into the band’s music. Songs reflecting vulnerability and perseverance struck a chord with the audience, making their performance deeply impactful.
Stephen Day
Next up, The Bellrays, a local Riverside band, brought their mix of blues and punk energy to the stage. Lisa Kekaula and Bob Vennum delivered a lively set that showcased their musicianship and charisma, drawing out loud applause from the audience.
Stephen Day
When Social Distortion hit the stage, the audience’s excitement reached its peak. Frontman Mike Ness led the band through a setlist filled with fan favorites, including “Story of My Life,” “Ball and Chain,” and their cover of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” The crowd sang along to every word, creating a powerful atmosphere. The Bellrays Bob Vennum joined Social Distortion on stage for several songs with his acoustic guitar brought some extra depth to the performance.
Stephen Day
Highlights of the night included their closing performance of “Bad Luck” and moments where Mike Ness reflected on the band’s journey, thanking fans for their continued support, and of course, the countdown to midnight.
Stephen Day
As midnight approached, Lisa Kekaula from the Bellrays join Social Distortion on stage and got the crowd ready for the New Year, and the band paused their set for the countdown. Confetti cannons and cheers marked the start of 2025, and Social Distortion launched into their encore. The energy in the room was electric as the band closed out the night with a memorable finale. What an amazing way to close out 2024 and roll into 2025.
Stephen Day
You can check out all the photos from the show at our Flickr page.
