Fans of all ages descended upon Orange County for P.O.D. and Nonpoint’s third and final stop in Southern California, and by all fan accounts the show was one of their best combined performances on tour this year.
From circle pits to crowd surfing and everything in between, those in attendance got their money’s worth as these two “nu-metal” heavyweights took the stage on a Tuesday night. Both band’s performances were raw, inspired, and seemed to transport their fans back to a time and place when all that mattered was the music. For me, that takes it to a whole new level and separates “good” live bands from “great” ones. These bands were the latter.
For those who have followed Nonpoint over the years, it should be no surprise that Tuesday’s show opening for P.O.D. would be one for the ages. The band, consisting of Elias Soriano (vocals), Robb Rivera (drums), Rasheed Thomas (rhythm guitar), Adam Woloszyn (bass), and BC Kochmit (lead guitar) left it all on the stage with an incredible 45-minute set in front of a near-capacity crowd.
Those in attendance were treated to Nonpoint classics such as “What a Day,” “Breaking Skin,” and “Bullet with a Name.” And if those were not enough, fans got to hear some killer tracks off their 2018 release, X, including “Chaos and Earthquakes” and “Dodge Your Destiny.” Both songs are amazing and even more powerful when performed by this group of killer technicians. If you have not picked up this album, do so. It simply rocks from beginning to end.
After a short break, P.O.D. took the stage and immediately spun the near-capacity crowd into hyper-drive with their first song of the night, “Soundboy Killa.” Off their November release Circles, this track immediately took diehard fans back to the early sound of P.O.D. and set the stage for an incredible night of music with one of Southern California’s favorite bands.
For the next hour and a half, Sonny Sandoval (vocals), Wuv Bernardo (drums), Traa Daniels (bass), and Marcos Curiel (lead guitar) slayed a 17-song set that featured tracks from Circles such as “Always Southern California” and Panic Attack,” along with classics like “Youth of the Nation” and “Rock the Party (Off the Hook).” P.O.D. wrapped up the evening with two of my favorite songs, “Alive” and “Listening for the Silence.” These songs were transformational for me growing up and rounded out what turned out to be an incredible night of live music in Orange County—and one that I won’t soon forget.
P.O.D.
NONPOINT
