Unlimited Love: The Red Hot Chili Peppers Experience

Flea and Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers performing at Allegiant Stadium, LV by Jacob Alvarez

WITH HEAVY SUPPORT FROM THE STROKES AND KING PRINCESS

One of my favorite bands of all time performing at Allegiant Stadium (home of the Las Vegas Raiders) with The Strokes opening; of course I bought a ticket. However, the day of the show was something only fathomable in a romantic comedy where everything goes wrong before it goes right.

To preface, I applied to cover both the San Diego and Los Angeles dates for the Chili Peppers, however I was more hoping to get Las Vegas just because The Strokes were opening and I’d rather see them over Beck and Haim (no disrespect to either act). I was notified days prior that I was not confirmed for either one, which was a decent blow to morale yet I knew the odds were definitely stacked against me. But somehow, in the 11th hour, two days before Vegas, I received a confirmation email from a personal hero, Makenzie from Allegiant Stadium, but we’ll get to that later. I had a few tears swell up as I read it, being that I listened to the band religiously throughout high school while I transitioned from schools, having a rough time doing so. Plus Frusciante back, what else could someone want? I recall reading the press stating his return to the band while on my way to the Uncut Gems premiere at the Arclight Hollywood. I have a ton of LA pride, from the Dodgers to my family just going through so much and enjoying the lives they have, so the Chili Peppers are almost engrained in me. This was something special.

I signed my waiver, confirmed all my info, and told my friends and family how excited I was. I’ve shot festivals and arenas like the KIA Forum, but nothing like a football stadium. Who knows exactly how many photographers applied and how many were rejected. It felt as though everything I had worked for: making figures and taking photos of anyone that would let me while seeing others move up because they represented more established publications; this somewhat proved I was on the right path.

Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers performing at Allegiant Stadium, LV by Jacob Alvarez

I came to my dad’s house and we began our journey to Vegas in the heat of Saturday morning. I appropriately wore my Stadium Arcadium tour shirt as we arrived around 3:30PM to the Rio hotel just a few minutes away from the stadium. Seeing the grey monolith was a bit intimidating but I was happy nonetheless. Here’s where things go south very fast. As we approach the kiosk to check into our rooms, I pull out my debit card and place my wallet on top. By the time I was almost finished, my wallet was gone. Just like that. Of course, this sucked for more reasons than one, but without my ID, I wouldn’t be able to check into my room nor get my press pass at the stadium. To come all this way and leave with nothing, I mean I don’t know what I did to deserve it.

At this point, my dad is pissed because I have no way of getting into my room and may need to buy a new one yet so many Chili Peppers fans were already there so who knew how many rooms were left. I was most upset at not getting to take photos anymore. This was an opportunity I was definitely not supposed to get, so I’d rather sleep on a slot machine but still get to take pictures. We put our heads together and he called up the booking agent to change my room info to his so that I could get into a new room while I contacted Makenzie who was the contact for the show. We were able to confirm the room so we dropped our stuff and hesitantly ate while I texted with Makenzie, explaining the situation. “I’ll check on this,” was what she told me and after that, I waited thirty long minutes for any sort of update.

I didn't want to talk or eat or anything for that matter. What a let down this was going to be. HOWEVER, I received a call from Makenzie. Her voice brought a cheerful presence to this dull moment, so I was hoping for good news. And it was. She explained how she spoke to security and they were going to accommodate me! I don’t think I’ve ever said the word “lifesaver” before this moment, but she was happy to help and walked me through everything I’d need to do to get inside. Just like that, the issue was dusted. THANK YOU MAKENZIE!

King Princess performing at Allegiant Stadium, LV by Jacob Alvarez

I met Makenzie outside security where I checked in my camera bag and received my photo pass which I slapped on my tour shirt. No other photographer was repping the band, and that’s usually the way it goes for some reason. I suppose many who take photos both for fun and for a living get jaded by the concept quickly. Only seven photographers were attending, which was crazy to me considering when BTS played the same stadium, there were over 200. Since we all arrived early, we decided to photograph the first set by King Princess. Walking out on the floor seeing how many seats were going to be filled by the end of the night was incredible to put it lightly. A photographer next me kept repeating how it was surreal being on the floor where his favorite team plays. As we flashed our badges to get into the photo pit, we all just admired where we were standing. King Princess came on shortly after and played a minimal set, providing early energy to many who were unfamiliar with the music.

All photographers were escorted from the pit to a break room for employees after the first three songs were over. The team were nice enough to supply us with cold water due to the long walks from the pit to the room which we would have to repeat for each set. While I went through my photos of King Princess, the remaining photographers spoke of how upset they were with The Strokes only allowing photos from either side of the stage but not in the middle. They also wondered if the opening jam session by the Chili Peppers would be counted as one song of the three we would get to shoot. I figured it wouldn’t and I wasn’t too mad about The Strokes, having dealt with Julian Casablancas’ antics at last year’s Outside Lands. I felt more prepared for arguably my biggest photo opportunity to date.

The Strokes performing at Allegiant Stadium, LV by Jacob Alvarez

About five minutes before The Strokes went on, we made our way back to the pit where I hung back towards the right where Albert Hammond Jr. was likely to be and from there, the band came on, activating the stadium as if they were the main act (they are headliners so it was really a 2 for 1 show). Without hesitation, they went into “Hard to Explain,” while thousands of fans from the floor to the seats sang, “Was an honest maaaaaan.” That was a surreal moment in itself. From then, I inched as close as possible to Casablancas while they played “Bad Decisions” and “Juicebox.” The band were professionals, putting on hit after hit having stage presence like they could perform in their sleep. Check out the set list here!

The Strokes performing at Allegiant Stadium, LV by Jacob Alvarez

This time, everyone was able to wait near a new entrance that wasn’t a far distance from the photo pit. At that point, we all sat on the floor going through photos and mingling for the hour wait. I thought my pictures were decent, all things considered and another photographer let me use his step stool since the stage was highly elevated making the drummer invisible. Then it was time.

We made our way to the pit for the final time, but we were stopped in our tracks as a cluster of people making chaos engulfed the only way in. Some were going to the restroom. Some were trying to get to their seats. All were angry. Somehow we made it through and now all seats were filled and the light of the sky was absent from the translucent ceiling. Since getting through the crowd was time-consuming, the band lights went off right when I entered the pit. The stadium filled with screams, people trying to make the wave happen, and some holding up signs. A gong with the band’s logo stood behind Chad Smith’s drum set as Flea, John Frusciante, and Smith came onstage. As tradition, the band began with an intro jam, but all the times I had seen it, Frusciante was absent. I had a huge smile on my face and since the lighting was very harsh for most of the jam, I just took the time to realize what I was witnessing.

Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers performing at Allegiant Stadium, LV by Jacob Alvarez

After five minutes of just playing like no one’s watching, Frusciante and Flea began the opening riffs to “Can’t Stop” which made everyone lose their minds. And once the beat dropped and Frusciante went into the opening, Anthony Kiedis in a red mesh shirt came bouncing out to more screams. It was the Chili Peppers show from then on.

The band usually doesn’t let up, so the second song was “Dani California.” I was singing the entire time, sometimes judging whether I should get a photo or motion to the track. The stage was decked out with a large LED screen in back with small ones toward the bottom and sides which displayed a lava-like substance during the performance of the song. Everyone popped from the backdrop, and seeing everyone extremely close performing to their max capacities with high energy levels; it was everything I wanted.

John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers performing at Allegiant Stadium, LV by Jacob Alvarez

The rep ended up considering the opening jam as a song, so everyone was escorted out once “Universally Speaking” began. The tricky part was that most photographers were leaving home after the three tracks but I was given press tickets. Since this was the case, I had to walk to the very first entrance I was checked into as a photographer, go to the parking lot and drop my camera equipment off, then come back into the venue and scan my ticket. While doing all this, I sadly missed Stadium Arcadium cuts “Charlie” and “Snow” as well as newer track “These Are The Ways.” The walk was a distance like I said. Luckily, I made it to my seat to hear favorites “Don’t Forget Me” and “Otherside.”

Throughout the performance, Frusciante would step off stage, and I thought this was due to changing his guitar or asking for some assistance. Apparently he was upset with the pedals and was unable to unleash his full capacity which is frustrating, but after the entire event, Frusciante at 80% is most guitar players at 110%. The band also switches their set list up with each date, so Las Vegas was the lucky show to have “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” dusted off. The lights were completely off while the screens flashed, synchronizing with the music. The crowd went absolutely nuts. Something similar happened during “Give It Away” which the band ended the set with.

Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers performing at Allegiant Stadium, LV by Jacob Alvarez

Even “Black Summer” with all the new tracks had perfect places in the set, blending in with the classics. We all expected an encore but not the track that began it, or at least I did not. Flea and the rest came out, saying thank you to the crowd for continuing to support live music. The LA pride immediately kicked in, and I realized that Smith’s drum set featured the Dodger logo (probably out of respect to the late Vin Scully). I adjusted my own Dodger cap when Frusciante and Keidis went into “I Could Have Lied.” This was a bit out of left field, hoping for “Soul to Squeeze” but I was happy enough. Of course, they ended with powerhouse “By The Way” with lights flickering constantly as the crowd sang along. Frustrated Frusciante stormed off stage quick while everyone else took a second to thank everyone for coming out.

I made my way out of the venue and just appreciated the fact that I was considered let alone approved to photograph one of my top three favorite bands in one of the largest venues I had ever stepped foot in. After having no ID and getting rejected from previous shows, I was sure this would not happen. My dad met me outside with the set list in hand which he was able to get from the soundboard. We made it back to our hotel, where I just sat in shock, coming off the high of the Chili Peppers.

This may not be the most sound and technically proficient review, but the words literally oozed out with ease. The passion was there. It usually is. But for this show specifically, looking out at around 60,000 fans, standing in front of some of my musical heroes with a Dodger cap then going back home to East LA; this just was not real. From listening to a mix CD on the way to elementary school featuring “Dosed” to being in the nosebleeds with my dad back in 2012 at Staples Center to winning a KROQ contest and upgrading my tickets in 2017 to doing a project on the band in 12th grade English class to being lucky enough to check out their intimate set at Amoeba earlier this year; from the books to the interviews to the Rick Rubin podcasts listened to, this was an unexpected pay off. Check out the set list here!

PS: Check out our gallery of photos from the performance!

PS: Check out our gallery of photos from the performance!