Incubus ends ‘Morning View’ anniversary tour in San Diego

Sometimes, a show hits in a way that reminds you exactly why the music has stuck with you over time — how certain albums become part of who you are. Incubus‘s performance in San Diego on July 19th, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their mega hit album Morning View, was one of those shows.

I’ve been a fan of this band for what feels like forever.

Incubus has carried me through growing pains, breakups, moments of clarity, and the ever-evolving process of healing. And, for one night, under the stars at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, it all came rushing back — especially with Morning View, one of my favorite albums, being played from start to finish.

The amphitheater was full but not crazy. People swayed, but didn’t shove. You could feel the shared reverence of fans who’ve been riding high with this band for decades. Conversations before the lights dimmed were full of phrases like “I haven’t seen them since high school” or “Morning View changed my life”. Yeah, and same.

The night kicked off with strong support from Paris Jackson and Manchester Orchestra. Paris opened with a mellow, emotional set that eased the crowd in. Contrarily, Manchester Orchestra followed with a heavier, more intense energy that got everyone amped.

By the time Incubus took the stage, the crowd was fully dialed in.

Like I mentioned, Incubus played Morning View from top to bottom — no skips, no interruptions, just one continuous experience. It didn’t feel like a setlist; it felt like going back in time to a memory that still holds up. A few unexpected creative moments occurred during the night. When the band slipped their own “Under My Umbrella” into a stripped-down version of Rihanna‘s “Umbrella”, people were turning to each other with that “wait… did they just?” look, yet, somehow, it worked. Later, the band wove Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” into “Are You In?”. One of the most beautiful parts of the night was when guitarist Mike Einziger sat and played a pipa during “Aqueous Transmission” — just like on the original recording. None of it felt forced or gimmicky; it was a fun surprise!

This tour also marked the live debut of Nicole Row, Incubus’s newest bassist. I think she did an amazing job! Well-known for her work with Panic! at the Disco, Row stepped into a legendary band collaboration with confidence and ease. From the start, she felt like a real part of the band: not just filling in, but bringing something new.

Nicole didn’t just blend in, she brought her own voice to the songs.

The basslines, especially on the Morning View tracks, had a fresh feel to them. Not a complete overhaul, but just enough of her style to make you hear things a little differently. Nicole Row clearly respects the original sound, adding just the right amount of her own flair.

On that note, Morning View brought up this strange mix of calm and intensity for me (and probably many others). It was like being 17 again, but with all the experiences that I’ve had since then. Many people in the crowd were quiet in contemplation, especially during the songs that prompted them to reflect. You could tell that people were sitting there with memories of breakups, long drives, late nights, and times of change. It wasn’t dramatic or too emotional; it was just there. For a lot of us, those songs were the soundtrack to some of the most critical years of our lives.

Hearing them live made all of that come rushing back in the best way.

Just when it looked like the night was winding down, the Morning View album cover lit up the screen behind the band members, prompting the crowd to clap like it was over. But there was so much left to come. Brandon Boyd and the gang continued on with several of hits, such as “Anna Molly”, “The Warmth”, “Vitamin”, and more. And of course “Drive” turned into a huge, unplanned sing-along… because how could it not?! They ended the night with “Pardon Me”, which everyone belted along to, as well.

Although this show marked the end of the tour, it definitely didn’t feel like the end of anything. If you’re a fan of Incubus, stay tuned! They’re clearly not done creating and evolving, and I look forward to seeing what’s next!

Photography by Olivia Valdes

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