Fans at Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit were treated to one stellar night with Incubus playing its iconic Morning View album in its entirety. The sold-out 10-city arena tour follows the release of Morning View XXIII earlier this year, a re-recording of their multi-platinum original album, with new versions from their classic hits. On tour with Incubus progressive rockers Coheed and Cambria kicked off the night with a banger set. The 9-song set delivered a punch opening with “In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth:3”. Lead singer and guitarist Claudio Sanchez was raging all set long all while captivating fans in attendance with his high-powered incredible voice. The band was wired from the get-go giving us some high-powered energy, guitar rips and solos and also treating the LCA crowd with a brand new (unreleased) song “Blindside Sunny” a total banger.
After a short intermission it was time for Incubus to hit the stage and that they did. Loud cheers filled with excitement rang through the arena becoming louder when singer Brandon Boyd took the stage, it was go time. The 2-hour and 5-minute set will go down as one of the most memorable shows in quite some time at the LCA and there have been plenty of artist that have rolled through town in recent years. The pit area had the VIP setup on both sides of the stage (usual setup on stage) with a handful of fans rocking out to Incubus you can’t get much closer to the band without joining them on stage. Incubus kicked things off with “Nice to Know You”, followed by “Circles”, and “Wish You Were Here” all three tracks threw the crowd into a frenzy with some killer energy leaving one to think are we ready for more, the answer was yes. Incubus sounded great with guitarist Mike Einziger guitar talents taking center stage delivering strong but yet beautifully crafted rips.
We were only three songs deep and it was time to slow things down a bit and the sold-out crowd did not mind. Classic hits like “Just a Phase”, “11 am”, and “Blood on the Ground” all showing the charismatic side from Boyd with his beautiful vocals displaying his softer tones all while giving us the powerful cords when needed, a mark of a true showman. “Blood on the Ground” an acoustic version with band members Nicole Row along with Boyd seated on the drum kit with Einziger packed a punch for an acoustic version you normally don’t get. The crowd connected in so many ways on this one some holding hands in the air swaying back and forth, while others showed some deep connection with the song. Nicole Row was a complete badass on the bass this night who replaced founding bassist Alex Katunich I mean what’s better than a female bassist taking ownership of the strings like a well-seasoned vet not a damn thing.
One highlight from the set was the Beatles cover “Come Together” a lot of bands lately have added this cover to their setlist just not the way Boyd and the crew did it tonight absolutely phenomenal! The Beatles would be proud for sure. As for the hits and with crowd approval Incubus rips through “Sick Sad Little World” that really got the crowd all lathered up and the hits just kept coming with a few hits from other albums including “Anna Holly” “Stellar” and “Pardon Me” to name a few. I just have to keep a few things to myself and let other Incubus fans see firsthand, now that’s the ultimate concert experience not knowing what’s to come. Incubus ends the night with “Dig” such a strong song with Boyd showing off his powerful voice at times while hitting the softer notes with precision and let’s not forget the sweet tones from Einziger guitar. That was one of those goosebump songs right there. Closing out the night with “Drive” and thanking Detroit for a wild time. Of course it’s a wild time you are in Detroit Rock City. The tour continues for a few weeks ending in San Fran on September 12th. Tours with an album playing in its entirety are sometimes a hit and miss, not with this production trust me on this. Stay young America keep rocking!
Incubus performing live at Little Caesars Arena Friday August 23, 2024
