FALLING IN REVERSE and BLACK VEIL BRIDES with DANCE GAVIN DANCE, Kia Forum, Los Angeles, CA 9.26.24

The Popular Monstour II: World Domination
FALLING IN REVERSE and BLACK VEIL BRIDES with DANCE GAVIN DANCE

Kia Forum
Los Angeles, CA
9.26.24

LIVE REVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARILYN BELL

Dance Gavin Dance
Dance Gavin Dance
Dance Gavin Dance

Falling in Reverse ended their Popular Monstour II: World Domination on Thursday, September 26th at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. After quick opening sets from rap and metal artist Jeris Johnson and rapper Tech N9ne, Dance Gavin Dance brought their post-hardcore swancore to the stage with the band’s rhythm guitarist now taking over the clean vocals after Tilian Pearson’s departure. Wells brought the energy, dancing all over the stage in his glittering gold suit. While he didn’t wear anything fancy, vocalist Jon Mess also showed off his moves on the stage. The crowd was hyped and started a circle pit, as the band made the most of their 35 minute set and primed the arena for Black Veil Brides.

Black Veil Brides
Black Veil Brides
Black Veil Brides

Black Veil Brides were up next with their glam and goth infused hard rock style. BVB always brings a tightly put together show with a cohesive look with similar stage clothes and coordinated theatrics from the guitarists. They packed fan favorites into the short set, including the title track from their latest EP Bleeders and their Billy Idol cover “Rebel Yell” from their 2011 debut EP in honor of drummer Christian “CC” Coma’s birthday. They ended the set with their biggest hit, “In the End” from their 2013 release Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones.

Black Veil Brides
Black Veil Brides

Closing out the night was the Ronnie Radke show. If there was any doubt that Radke is Falling in Reverse to the fans, the Ronnie Radke Patreon ads on the arena screens should have settled that debate. The crowd went wild from the moment the screens showed the band backstage coming to the stage. The stage had a riser spanning the width of the front of the stage for Radke, with the rest of the band back down below and Falling in Reverse videos playing on the large, background screen. 

Falling in Reverse
Falling in Reverse

Radke loves to play the villain, but it was clear he was having fun. He was all over the riser tossing his microphone up into the air and letting loose, even fully committing to his zombie dance moves for “Zombified.” The set was packed with fan favorites including “The Drug in Me is You,” tour namesake “Popular Monster,” and “Voices in my Head.” In keeping with his villain persona, Radke belted out the “Just Like You” lyrics, “I am aware that I am an asshole.” At one point, the band left the stage for an “encore,” but it was really just an opportunity to show Corey Feldman doing a guitar solo from the dressing room. After returning to the stage, Radke and company donned cowboy hats for the Jelly Roll collab “All My Life” and closed out the set with “Ronald” and “Watch the World Burn.” Love him or hate him, Radke’s fans are devoted and can’t get enough. 

Falling in Reverse