Touring rock and metal festivals used to be a more consistent thing in years past. Sadly, some of our favorites like Warped Tour, Mayhem Fest, and Knotfest have either ended or transitioned into single-stop events. Well, a new summer touring festival has hit the scene and promises to light up each venue. Summer of Loud is traveling across the United States, boasting four headlining bands performing each night and tons of pyro to light up each city. The four headliners include powerhouse bands Beartooth, I Prevail, Parkway Drive, and Killswitch Engage, all rotating headlining duties at different stops. Along with these big names, the tour features The Amity Affliction, The Devil Wears Prada, Alpha Wolf, and a rotating opening band. The Summer of Loud Festival invaded the new Great Park Live venue in Irvine, CA, and fans were ready for a full day of headbanging and moshing.

Before the show could even start, the day was marred by some unfortunate setbacks. Sadly, The Devil Wears Prada had to drop out of the Irvine date due to a medical issue, though they were able to make the next stop. While it was disappointing not to see them, it’s better for the band to take the time to heal rather than push themselves. This caused the first band to go on 45 minutes later than originally planned. Additionally, the venue moved the door time back by an hour, leaving many fans standing in direct sunlight under 85-degree clear skies for longer than expected.

Another major setback was that, due to Irvine fire ordinances, the tour was forbidden from using any pyrotechnics. The pyro was a big visual factor in the festival’s presentation, and its absence felt like a significant loss. Nonetheless, each band knew they had to bring their A-game to make the day worth it for the fans—and they absolutely delivered.

Opening the show was Kingdom of Giants, making their Summer of Loud debut, replacing former opening band TX2. Wasting no time, they kicked off their set with “Asphalt.” As soon as the heavy guitars from Max Bremer and Julian Perez hit, you knew it was going to be a good day. But it was when vocalist Dana Willax unleashed the first screams of the day that the crowd truly came alive.

Though Kingdom of Giants had the shortest set of the day, they made sure to get the blood pumping. Mosh pits opened up, and crowd surfers began crashing over the barricade. Their setlist included “Wasted Space,” “Bleach,” the live debut of “Collide,” “Burner,” and ended with “Wayfinder.” Kingdom of Giants was the perfect choice to kick off this leg of the Summer of Loud festival.

Next up was Alpha Wolf, a band from Australia that has been gaining traction recently. They wasted no time, hitting the crowd with heavy, chuggy riffs to ignite the energy. Vocalist Lochie Keogh, wearing a custom Alpha Wolf-emblazoned San Diego Padres jersey, delivered one of the most ferocious vocal performances of the day. His screams felt like they were directed straight at you, full of raw intensity.

Guitarist Sabian Lynch, with his face mask, bleached hair, and confident stage presence, brought to mind Kakashi from Naruto. The band even opened their set with “Mangekyō,” a possible nod to the anime. Alongside fellow guitarist Scottie Simpson, bassist John Arnold, and drummer Mitch Fogarty, Alpha Wolf attacked the audience with songs like “Pretty Boy,” “Sucks 2 Suck,” “Sub-Zero,” “Haunter,” “Creep,” and “Akudama.” Despite the heat, fans gave Alpha Wolf all their energy, proving their growing popularity.

It was then time for The Amity Affliction to take the stage. This was my first time seeing them live, and they did not disappoint. Vocalist Joel Birch was all smiles, clearly enjoying every moment on stage. His harsh vocals paired beautifully with bassist Jonathan Reeves’ clean vocals, creating a dynamic ebb and flow in their music.

Guitarist Dan Brown delivered heavy riffs and fluid melodies, while drummer Joe Longobardi blasted the crowd with double-kick patterns. Unfortunately, near the end of their set, Joel Birch rolled his ankle during “It’s Hell Down Here.” It was later revealed that he broke two bones in his left foot. Despite the injury, Birch finished the set like a true rockstar, performing the final song with his foot in a cooler full of ice. The band announced they would not be dropping off the tour, ensuring fans can still catch them at future stops.

The first of the four headliners to perform was Killswitch Engage, metalcore legends who have been foundational to the scene for decades. Even with the bright sun blazing behind them, they delivered a powerful performance. Vocalist Jesse Leach showcased his incredible range, seamlessly transitioning between angelic cleans and gritty screams.

Guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, known for his playful stage persona, rocked a pizza guitar, an “I’m with Stupid ß” shirt, and a headband that read “Beer.” Despite his antics, his guitar work, alongside Joel Stroetzel, was nothing short of inspiring. Bassist Mike D’Antonio and drummer Justin Foley kept the rhythm section tight, while the band crammed as many hits as possible into their set, including “Rose of Sharyn,” “This Fire,” “Hate By Design,” “My Curse,” and “Holy Diver.”

Our second headliner of the night was Parkway Drive, another Australian powerhouse. Opening with “Glitch,” vocalist Winston McCall commanded the crowd like a military sergeant, urging fans to keep the mosh pits spinning. Guitarists Jeff Ling and Luke Kilpatrick delivered driving hooks, while bassist Jia O’Connor and drummer Ben Gordon held down the rhythm.

Their setlist included fan favorites like “Prey,” “Vice Grip,” “Carrion,” and “Wild Eyes.” While Parkway Drive is known for their elaborate pyro rigs, the lack of fire due to Irvine’s restrictions was disappointing. Still, the band’s energy and performance more than made up for it.

As the sun set, I Prevail took the stage. This was their first tour without founding member Brian Burkheiser, leaving Eric Vanlerberghe to handle full vocal duties. Starting with “Bow Down,” the band brought ferocity to their set. Vanlerberghe’s unclean and clean vocals were effortless, while rhythm guitarist Dylan Bowman provided additional clean vocals.

Lead guitarist Steve Menoian added ambiance and texture to the tracks, while drummer Gabe Helguera delivered powerful, intentional drumming. Their setlist included “Body Bag,” “Self-Destruction,” “Hurricane,” and “Gasoline.” While Vanlerberghe did an excellent job, I hope the band considers bringing back a second vocalist to restore the layered dynamics that define their sound.

Finally, it was time for Beartooth to close the show. Kicking off with “The Lines,” vocalist Caleb Shomo brought unmatched energy, running across the stage and pouring passion into every song. From tracks about depression to finding happiness, Shomo’s emotional delivery connected deeply with the crowd.

Guitarists Zach Huston and Will Deely kept the riffs heavy, while bassist Oshie Bichar added depth with backing vocals. Drummer Connor Denis showcased his evolution, delivering nuanced patterns and powerful beats. Their setlist included “The Past is Dead,” “Sunshine!,” “Disease,” and “Riptide,” ending the night with “In Between.”

The Summer of Loud tour brought big, loud energy to Irvine, CA. While the lack of pyro was disappointing, the bands didn’t let it hinder their performances. Each act brought their best, making this one of the most exciting shows of the summer. I hope the Summer of Loud becomes an annual event, with new bands joining the lineup. Just one request: please find a venue that allows the full pyro experience.