05 May Incubus Electrifies Friday Night

Before last night, I had never seen California’s alt-rock act Incubus live, but I’ve heard tales of their incredible performances for years. One of my dearest friends, Rachel, has seen the band in concert 16 times.

Sixteen. Times.

“I’m hoping to make it to 20 [shows],” she giggled last night, after we gushed over their SunFest set. A native South Floridian, she just recently returned to the Sunshine State. We met in the “Live Music Capital of the World,” where Rachel lived for the last 10 years. She instantly became my concert partner-in-crime.

Rachel has traveled extensively for lead singer Brandon Boyd and his talented crew of musicians. She’s followed her favorite sound to California, Colorado, Texas, and Florida.

While I left the show in awe of the band’s bombastic energy and Boyd’s truly beautiful mane, Rachel left surprised by Incubus’ surprising cover-filled set.

A massive crowd gathered before the Tire Kingdom waiting for the “Megalomaniac” band to perform. At 9 p.m., Incubus exploded on the stage with their 1999 track “Privilege,” featuring heavy bongo percussion, before launching into “Circles.” With strobing lights and hues of purple and blue, the band unleashed jaw-dropping, waves of energy onto fans. The crowd cheered and offered their hands up to the night sky.

Boyd bounded upon the stage— crouching on amps, whipping his lustrous hair around. I was shocked by the stamina of this band that I foolishly imagined to be on the more chill, mellow side. What was I thinking? 

Incubus pushed through “Megalomaniac,” “State of the Art,” “Pardon Me,” and “Nice to Know You.”

It was during their tenth song, “Are You In?,” that the alternative group began to mash their signature sound with other great hits. From their 2001 hit, Boyd slid into Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice.” “Need You Tonight” melded with INXS. Their smash single “Wish You Were Here” gracefully steeped into Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here.” It was clear the quintet was feeling playful.

Of course, the band had to end with their biggest chart topping hits, “Drive” (arguably their biggest breakthrough single) and their 2002 single “Warning.”

It is easy to forget these impeccable artists have been creating hits since 1991. Their hits still float through our radios and find a home on our Spotify playlists. I wandered away from the Tire Kingdom stage with a sound understanding for Rachel’s love of the band. She left with an armful of merchandise and a smile that will likely last a week.

“I aspire to rock out at as many live shows as possible,” she said. “I will always be a lifelong Incubus fanatic.”