Post-hardcore punk night draws young fans bringing enthusiasm, joy, and crowd surfing to the House of Blues Anaheim for Citizen.
If crowd surfing was an Olympic sport then the post-hardcore show at the House of Blues in Anaheim hosted a houseful of gold medalists. The House of Blues, which sits adjacent to Disneyland, seemed to take the crown of the “happiest place on earth” for a few hours on this night. Young fans in the packed house rode the crowd with wild enthusiasm as Fiddlehead and then Citizen took the stage for their sets. Many fans doing laps crowd surfing to the front, being assisted safely into the pit by security, and then returning to the crowd for another ride on the latest “Disney attraction.”
Starting the evening was the Los Angeles duo Kumo 99. They brought their brand of electronic dance music to warm up the crowd. Kumo 99 was a nice introduction to what was to come, keeping a punk spirit, mixing jungle and drum n bass breaks without giving away the tidal wave that was about to break.
Next came time for Fiddlehead. When the band took the stage, the crowd seemed to explode into a wave of enthusiasm and wild joy. Fans riding a wave of hands to the front of the stage. Akin to scenes in a movie where zombies pile on top of each other using their bodies as leverage for others to scale a wall, except these weren’t malevolent forces with snarling faces, these were smiling fans having the time of their young lives helping each other connect with the band on stage.
Fiddlehead left the crowd in awe with their electrifying performance. The band’s raw energy and infectious stage presence captivated fans from the very first chord, setting the tone for a night of unadulterated punk rock bliss. Frontman Patrick Flynn’s gritty vocals soared over the thunderous drums and driving guitars, creating a sonic whirlwind that had the audience immersed in a mosh pit frenzy.
Fiddlehead flawlessly blended elements of melodic punk and hardcore, delivering a setlist brimming with anthemic tracks that resonated with the crowd’s rebellious spirit. With relentless energy and tight musicianship, the band effortlessly connected with the young audience, forging an unbreakable bond that intensified as the night progressed. The Boston MA-based post-hardcore based punk supergroup formed in 2014, and is a band thriving, and on the rise in this semi-underground scene, dominated by bands like Turnstile, and Pierce the Veil.
The night’s headliner Citizen took the stage unleashing a massive jolt of energy just as the wave of enthusiasm was reaching its crest, the swell of human passion in unbridled release all at once. Bodies churned, flew, flipped, and crawled on a supportive sea of hands. Citizen finished the final night of the tour supporting the 10th anniversary of their album Youth with a blowout performance to the delight of all in attendance. Citizen delivered a powerhouse performance that left the audience in awe.
The Ohio-based rock band showcased their signature blend of raw energy and introspective lyrics, captivating fans from the moment they stepped on stage. With their distinct mix of alt-rock, post-hardcore punk, emo, and grunge, Citizen created an electric atmosphere that reverberated throughout the venue. Frontman Mat Kerekes commanded the stage with his charismatic presence and emotive vocals, effortlessly drawing the crowd into every song. The band’s tight musicianship and dynamic interplay were on full display with their powerful guitar riffs and thunderous drumming driving the intensity to new heights. Citizen put on a great show. The band’s raw power and tight performance made for an unforgettable night for fans of all ages.
This was a performance reminiscent of punk rock of old, the genre never went completely away, kept alive by the next generation of angst-ridden youth. Gone are the colorful mohawks, and leather bondage adjacent clothing, replaced by clean-cut hair, piercings, nose rings, tattoos, ear tunnels, and plugs. The music too has evolved with musicianship and melody. “High energy show” is a term that is thrown about too much. This was not high energy, it was nuclear. This night was a performance that encouraged joy and demanded participation. These bands truly have a connection with their fans, who reciprocated that connection lovingly and enthusiastically on this night at the House of Blues.
CITIZEN
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FIDDLEHEAD
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KUMO 99
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