WITH SUPPORT FROM RISING LA BAND THE LINDA LINDAS

The Kia Forum in Inglewood, California made for the perfect setting to host two sold out nights with Paramore. The alternative rock band fronted by enigmatic icon Haley Williams packed out the intimate, yet huge arena with support from Oxford outfit Foals and local rising punk rock band The Linda Lindas. After arriving an hour before showtime, the venue was packed out with general admission goers, while the seats slowly filled up.

With arena shows, passes become more important as opposed to a four wall ballroom. Everyone needs to meet at a specific location and be escorted in and out plus there is no check in for camera bags so they need to be dropped off outside before entering for the duration of the show. I received two photo passes for both opening sets and had to enter via a different location than the rest of the photographers. At 7PM on the dot, The Linda Lindas were up.

The punk rockers opened with a slightly altered set from the previous night, beginning with “Why” and “Remember” off their debut LP, Growing Up. Fans in the pit jumped around, matching the energy of the band. The Linda Lindas even played an unreleased track titled “Resolution Revolution” that got the crowd hyped. Although only about a half hour long, the set provided the upstart to the Forum, creating this dancehall scene that would carry on with the following sets. Hayley Williams while thanking the band for coming on tour with Paramore stated, “Remember them because they aren’t going anywhere.” They’ve taken the world by storm being featured in multiple magazines and playing with big league acts and getting cosigns from the likes of Thundercat and the Foo Fighters. Every member in the audience seconded Williams’ sentiment.

After a quick intermission for setup, the lights went out and the venue at this point was 80% full. Ominous music played mixed with the cries of enthusiastic fans before a giant LED screen broadcasted “FOALS” in crystal lettering. The band walked on and greeted fans with guitarist Jimmy Smith and frontman Yannis Philippakis standing on opposite ends of the stage. This is always refreshing to see as opposed to the typical lead singer in the middle surrounded by their artists. Even Williams of Paramore cruised around the stage during their set to the glee of fans. FOALS played a lengthy set, performing cuts off their latest album Life Is Yours which was rereleased this year with new workings of tracks featuring Dan Carey. Songs like “Mountain at My Gates” and “What Went Down” blew the audience away, commanding the venue as if they were the headliners. My connection to the band has been limited up to this point; their set has made me a bigger fan moving forward. The calculation of Smith and the uncompromising expressions of Philippakis delivered the emotional resonance needed at every concert. Paramore couldn’t have chosen two better bands to support their sold out dates in Los Angeles. Big thanks to Mike Baranik and Thomas Cadrin for the assist!