Chain Fest in Irvine brought back the 2000’s emo and pop punk era that Anaheim’s Chain Reaction is famous for. Jimmy Eat World and Taking Back Sunday anchored the night, and while nostalgia was in the air on Saturday night, both bands sounded as contemporary as ever.
Taking Back Sunday brought an older alternative rock edge to their classic material, sounding as tight as ever. Singer Adam Lazarra’s voice is evolving into more of a Shannon Hoon or Robert Plant as he gets older, and he is a great showman, frequently having fun banter with the crowd and bandmate John Nolan.
“MakeDamnSure” still had the same power it did 15 years ago to close out their set, and a cover of Weezer’s “My Name Is Jonas” was a pleasant surprise.
Jimmy Eat World headlined, and they’re the type of band that can be high under-appreciated, with so many hits that the average radio fan can even forget some of them are by Jimmy Eat World. Even the deep cuts resonated strong, showing the strength of their catalog.
Chain Fest was really a night about getting better with experience and age, for both the musicians onstage and fans in the audience.
Chain Fest also featured other great acts like Circa Survive and Anberlin, and after a year and a half of no rock festivals and tours, it was nice to see a show in the tradition of the old Weenie Roasts return to Irvine after several years.
