If you thought that '90s rock was a thing of the past, you clearly haven't been part of the teeming crowds at Incubus and +LIVE+'s double-header tour.
First announced last year, the two US groups have headed up the inaugural Lookout Festival around the country this month, while also pairing for headline dates around the country, including at Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena on Sunday (14 April).Both groups have enjoyed massive popularity in their own right over the years, though the hard rock, grunge, alt-metal scenes in which they would thrive within have since waxed and waned.
As such, the crowd was one predominantly comprising those who themselves grew up with the bands, eager to celebrate the many combined decades of music they've contributed to.
A no-frills approach to the evening meant that California natives Incubus were first cab off the rank, launching into a lengthy set that drew largely from their 2001 album, 'Morning View'.
Incubus - image © Chris Dy
Kicking off with the likes of 'Quicksand' as well as fan favourites such as 'Nice To Know You' and 'Anna Molly' not only highlighted the appreciation of the audience, but underlined the vocal prowess and charismatic stage presence of frontman Brandon Boyd.
Across their 17-song set, the five-piece (which included newly-minted bass player Nicole Row) dived deep into what fans expect from an Incubus show. Apart from a few bongo solos from Boyd during the latter part of the set, it featured little experimentation outside of what could be found on the records, and a lack of banter undeniably felt somewhat alienating.
However, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who would complain. Peppering their set with covers (including The Beatles' 'Come Together', David Bowie's 'Let's Dance', and Portishead's 'Glory Box'), and compounding its effectiveness with hits such as 'Drive' and closing track 'Wish You Were Here', Incubus played to their strengths, spreading infectious energy throughout the arena and undoubtedly winning over any fans who might not have been convinced otherwise.
Incubus - image © Chris Dy
Rounding out the one-two punch of the evening was Pennsylvania's +LIVE+, whose very appearance was markedly different to their last trip to Aussie shores.
As a primer, founding vocalist Ed Kowalczyk previously quit the band in 2009, rejoining in 2016 after +LIVE+ went through a breakup and reformation. After six years of touring (including two trips to Australia), Kowalczyk fired the rest of the band in 2022 leaving him as the sole founding member of the group.
Needless to say, for a recent history focused on so much tumult and drama, it was impossible to detect any sense of it when +LIVE+ were onstage.
In fact, it was hard to take note of anything but the massive amounts of confidence displayed by +LIVE+ throughout the entirety of their set, which was almost entirely made up of their three-album run from 1994 to 1999.
+LIVE+ - image © Chris Dy
Launching with the 'Throwing Copper' off-cut 'Hold Me Up', their most popular record would make up the lion's share of the evening, inspiring the most fervent moments from band and fan with tracks such as 'All Over You', 'White, Discussion', and 'Sh.t Towne'.
Complementing the songs, however, was the highly-personable nature of Kowalczyk. Between his self-deprecating banter and noticeable excitement, it helped to ensure that +LIVE+'s set was undeniably the more enjoyable of the two.
Records such as 1997's 'Secret Samadhi' and 1999's 'The Distance To Here' both received focus thanks to selections such as 'Lakini's Juice' and 'The Dolphin's Cry' respectively, while even Kowalczyk's solo project Goose Blackstone got a look-in thanks to a performance of the recently released 'Leave The Radio On'.
However, even the most casual of observers would tell you it was +LIVE+'s breakthrough album they were there to hear, and the band complied wrapping things up with a blistering performance of 'I Alone' and the ever-powerful 'Lightning Crashes', which featured Kowalczyk entering the crowd to witness the resonance and impact of the beloved single.
+LIVE+ - image © Chris Dy
It might be easy to fall into modern criticism and swiftly dismiss rock music of the '90s and '00s, but to do so is to forget why it was popular in the first place, and why we feel so good when we experience it in the flesh.
This tour from Incubus and +LIVE+ might have felt like a perfect lightning rod for this sort of cynical criticism, but it's impossible not to love these two heavyweights of the era, and this tour shows us why we do.
- written by Tyler Jenke
More photos from the concert.
