The Adicts Return to LA in Black and White

The Adicts performing at the Belasco Theater, LA by Jacob Alvarez

FIRST SHOW BACK IN LA SINCE PANDEMIC

The night seemed like a replay from October 2019. I was at the same venue and was watching the same band. Punk icons The Adicts sold out the intimate room and put on a bombastic performance that jumped from punk track to tender ballad. After that show, which I attended with my dad who adores the band, I vowed to see them every time they came on tour. Sadly, that performance was the only time I experienced the band’s whimsy and antics. Therefore, when The Adicts announced their comeback tour in 2023 at the same venue, it was a bookend moment.

The Belasco welcomed a crowd of concertgoers dressed in black with fishnets and Doc Martens on the downtown LA street corner. Many fans awaited outside in the hopes of coming up on a ticket since the show sold out in mere minutes. Seems as though the return fo the band was being anticipated greatly. Once inside, people of all ages were dressed for the occasion, with children wearing The Adicts tees and some fans mirroring the attire of Alex DeLarge from A Clockwork Orange. The night featured three openers, all of whom kept the crowd engaged and moshing until the final act.

The Adicts performing at the Belasco Theater, LA by Jacob Alvarez

Around 10:30PM, all photographers made their way into the photo pit. I love the Belasco because the photo pit is as close as it gets to the artist, with not much of a height difference and enough room to move around during songs. However, there is an issue with trying to get to the pit since fans are already crowding the barricade and are very hesitant to let people cut, rightfully so. The house cycled through classic rock anthems like Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer” and Misfits’ “Last Caress” before the lights dimmed. The music shifted to Rossini’s “William Tell Overture: Fina,l” blended with a hint of the Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop” before its creshdeno into the opening music from A Clockwork Orange. Fans indeed knew this ode and yelled louder before the band entered with singer Monkey coming in last, blanketing himself in a winged tapestry resembling his iconic smile. The music ceased and Monkey immediately turned around and was met with eager fans cheering as the band kicked off the energetic set with “Let’s Go.”

The Adicts performing at the Belasco Theater, LA by Jacob Alvarez

Being a mostly older crowd, fans were rowdy but respectful, creating a smallish mosh pit, but the energy really kicked into high gear when Monkey brought out a deck of playing cards, signaling the next track “Joker in the Pack.” Cards began to float through the air with each toss from the singer; fans jumped and swiped in the hopes of grabbing one, with some cards featuring the iconic band logo. “This is where we belong, with you fuckers,” exclaimed Monkey. After the first three tracks, every photographer fought their way through the crowded floor where I then went to the balcony. At this point, confetti was shot around and the theatrics were always topped as the set list went on. Monkey shot bracelets from his wrist and danced around with two small monkey toys before tossing them to the audience (a generous band I must say). With an intimate setting such as this one, it was hard to not feel as if one was in attendance during the band’s live album Live and Loud. I actually resisted the album on my train ride to the venue, reliving the moment I discovered the CD in my dad’s collection.

The Adicts performing at the Belasco Theater, LA by Jacob Alvarez

What’s fun about the band as well is their longevity and fan participation. Almost everyone in the crowd sang along to “Troubadour” and “Tango” while I recorded the tender ballad “I Am Yours” for my dad who dedicated it to past relationships when he was growing up. 15 songs deep, the iconic bowler hat was off and makeup began to chip away as Monkey gave his performance his all. The Adicts ended strong with songs “Viva la Revolution” and “Bad Boy.” During their performance of “Walk On,” the band shared how welcoming they felt to be back after the pandemic. “What else could you do besides walk on,” Monkey said with a smile before delivering the lyrics. The Adicts transcend traditional punk music, generating more than a cult following throughout their 40+ year career. They’re an important piece of the English punk tapestry and punk music in general. The fans come out in droves and the audiences are getting younger as the adults pass on the lesson of what great music is. The show provided not just a normal tour date, but a warm-up of sorts for their larger performance at One Strange Night the following day.

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

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

*Photos from this performance were featured on Monkey’s and The adicts’ Instagram on 07/24/23.