728 x 90

Tom Morello and Friends: A Fiery Two-Night Frenzy in SoCal

Musicians perform on stage at the House of Blues in Anaheim on Feb 6 for the Tom Morello and Friends concert
Tom Morello performs with his son Roman on stage at the House of Blues in Anaheim on Feb 6 for the Tom Morello and Friends concert Stephen Day

Under the banner of 'Tom Morello and Friends,' Morello ignited Southern California with back-to-back performances at the House of Blues in Anaheim on February 6 and the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles on February 7, proving once again why he remains a guitar revolutionary. Across both nights, Morello brought a fiery fusion of rock, rebellion, and raw energy, bolstered by a star-studded lineup of special guests and a deeply personal family moment that electrified the crowd.

The House of Blues show set the tone with a blistering performance that featured an opening act from Seven Hours After Violet, the band led by System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian. The band also opened for the Fonda Theatre show, delivering a mesmerizing set that showcased their blend of atmospheric rock and hard-hitting riffs, ebbing and flowing between soft, melodic passages and bursts of hardcore intensity. Their setlist included songs Gloom, Cry, Paradise, Radiance, Abandon, Go!, Float, Alive, and Sunrise, each track enveloping the audience in waves of energy and emotion, setting the perfect stage for Morello’s incendiary performances.

Musicians perform on stage at the House of Blues in Anaheim on Feb 6 for the Tom Morello and Friends concert
Musicians perform on stage at the House of Blues in Anaheim on Feb 6 for the Tom Morello and Friends concert an icon of a camera Stephen Day
Musicians perform on stage at the House of Blues in Anaheim on Feb 6 for the Tom Morello and Friends concert
Musicians perform on stage at the House of Blues in Anaheim on Feb 6 for the Tom Morello and Friends concert an icon of a camera Stephen Day

Morello’s set reached new heights when he welcomed The Struts’ Luke Spiller, who joined him for a raucous cover of AC/DC’s Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, and Måneskin’s Thomas Raggi, who delivered an electrifying performance during Kick Out the Jams, each adding their own flamboyant flair to the sonic spectacle.

Musicians perform on stage at the House of Blues in Anaheim on Feb 6 for the Tom Morello and Friends concert
Musicians perform on stage at the House of Blues in Anaheim on Feb 6 for the Tom Morello and Friends concert an icon of a camera Stephen Day

One of the most heartwarming highlights of the night came when Morello’s son, Roman, joined him for several songs. Demonstrating incredible talent and a natural command of the guitar, Roman captivated the audience with his skillful playing. The pinnacle of this father-son moment came during a powerful rendition of Rage Against the Machine’s iconic anthem, Killing in the Name. As they traded riffs on stage, the pride on Tom Morello’s face was unmistakable, and the crowd roared with approval, witnessing a legacy in the making.

Musicians perform on stage at the House of Blues in Anaheim on Feb 6 for the Tom Morello and Friends concert
Musicians perform on stage at the House of Blues in Anaheim on Feb 6 for the Tom Morello and Friends concert an icon of a camera Stephen Day

The energy carried into the Fonda Theatre the following night, where Morello raised the stakes with an even heavier-hitting guest list. Slash made a surprise appearance, shredding through three songs alongside Morello, including a thunderous cover of AC/DC’s Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. The crowd erupted as RZA stormed the stage, delivering a blistering version of Wu-Tang Clan’s Ain’t Nuthing ta F’ Wit in an electrifying genre-blending moment. Once again, Roman Morello stood beside his father, proving he was more than just a guest—he was a rising force in his own right.

Musicians perform on stage at the House of Blues in Anaheim on Feb 6 for the Tom Morello and Friends concert
Musicians perform on stage at the House of Blues in Anaheim on Feb 6 for the Tom Morello and Friends concert an icon of a camera Stephen Day

Across both nights, Morello’s performances were more than just concerts—they were communal rallies of resistance and rock ‘n’ roll. From the explosive collaborations to the deeply personal father-son moments, these two shows reinforced Morello’s status as not just a guitar virtuoso, but a curator of unforgettable musical experiences. As the final notes rang out in Los Angeles, one thing was clear: Morello’s musical mayhem left an indelible mark on Southern California’s rock scene.

Musicians perform on stage at the House of Blues in Anaheim on Feb 6 for the Tom Morello and Friends concert
Musicians perform on stage at the House of Blues in Anaheim on Feb 6 for the Tom Morello and Friends concert an icon of a camera Stephen Day

All of our photos are from the House of Blues in Anaheim, and the whole collection of photos can be viewed on our Flickr page.

img
Stephen Day
Photographer
PROFILE
@if(isset($latest_categories[strtolower(str_replace(' & ', '', $post_deets->category))]) @include('partials.posts._related_post_gallery', ["category"=>$post_deets->category, "latest_posts"=>$latest_categories[strtolower(str_replace(' & ', '', $post_deets->category))], 'page_id'=>$pe->page_id]) @endif

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

Cancel reply

Recent Concerts

Recent Drag

Recent Events

Recent Food & Drinks

Recent Theatre

Categories

Tags