Iration, Tribal Seeds, & more kick off OC summer concert season

There are some summer nights you wish you could keep in your pocket forever. Warm weather, live music, your favorite people, and not a single thing to worry about. That’s exactly what Iration has does to their show audiences. To kick off the OC Fairgrounds summer season, the Iration boys brought that vibe to the Pacific Amphitheatre.

The show was part of their Where It All Began Tour, supporting the band’s newest album released back in May. Along with the new record, the night was also a look back at the songs that helped make Iration one of the most well-known bands in reggae rock.

The show started off with San Clemente’s own Tunnel Vision.

Tunnel Vision‘s surf reggae sound made them the perfect opener while fans found their seats and started to rally. Their set was fun, upbeat, and exactly what you’d want to hear as the opener of an Iration show in OC. Even if you hadn’t heard them before, think Sublime, Pepper, Reel Big Fish, and Slightly Stoopid — stuff to skate to.

Next up was Artikal Sound System, who brought a little more of a pop sound to the lineup. Frontwoman Logan Rex has no problem getting a crowd’s attention; she’s full of personality and a large part of why the band has gained so much attention over the last few years.

As the sun started to set, Tribal Seeds took the stage and immediately had the crowd roaring. The boys pulled from fan-favorite albums like Ancient Blood, Representing, The Harvest, and their self-titled record, giving longtime fans — as well as new fans — all of the main tracks to enjoy. Tribal Seeds‘ mix of roots and reggae rock has always sounded even better live, and that was definitely the case that evening.

By the time Iration walked onstage, the venue was packed with phone cameras out.

They wasted no time jumping into a set mixing brand new songs with the classics everyone came to hear. Tracks from Where It All Began fit with those from Time Bomb, No Time for Rest, their self-titled album, and more, making the show feel like a discography of every era of the band.

Even as a teen, when I was constantly hitting an Iration show at any chance I could get, their stage presence never gets old. Even after 20 years, Iration members just get onstage, perform great music, and let the crowd vibe out.

Stay tuned all summer long for the best live shows in OC. Whether you’re anticipating to hit the next Where It All Began tour stop or anxiously waiting for an awesome show in Costa Mesa, ‘tis the season that keeps on giving. Check out Iration’s tour here and the upcoming Pacific Amphitheatre shows here.

Photography by Celeste Basich

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