One of the most legendary outdoor venues in Southern California has to be the Greek Theatre, nestled in the literal hills of Los Angeles. This historic venue has hosted countless iconic artists over its nearly 100-year run of summer concerts. The latest legendary acts to grace its stage were the co-headlining tour featuring Coheed and Cambria and Taking Back Sunday. This double-header had fans hiking up the notorious hills of Los Angeles, eager to rock out with two of their favorite bands.

Opening the night was indie rock band Foxing from St. Louis, Missouri. Their opening song, “Secret History,” began with a somber tempo and vibe, making it feel like we were in for a mellow groove. However, Foxing quickly switched things up, catching the crowd completely off guard as the song transformed into a hardcore-punk anthem. Vocalist Conor Murphy was at the foot of the stage, screaming into the faces of the front row, while guitarist and co-vocalist Eric Hudson added a second layer of passionate screams, sharpening Murphy’s edge. Bassist Brett Torrence and drummer Jon Hellwig carried the groove of each song, anchoring the heaviness when needed. Foxing seamlessly floated between softer, rhythmic tunes and frantic, crashing energy with songs like “Spit,” “Hell 99,” “Grand Paradise,” “Nearer My God,” and ending with “Rory.” Foxing delivered an unexpected jolt of energy that set the perfect tone for the night.

Next up was the first co-headliner, Taking Back Sunday, who took the stage dressed to the nines in custom-fitted blue suits. The entire band exuded a debonair and sophisticated vibe, but their set was anything but reserved. It was filled with emo music classics that had the crowd singing along at the top of their lungs. Lead vocalist Adam Lazzara was a smooth criminal, gliding and dancing across the stage, frequently swinging the mic like a lasso and getting tangled in the mic cable. Rejoining the band for this tour was longtime co-vocalist and lead guitarist Fred Mascherino, who hadn’t been part of the group since 2007. Fred’s joy was palpable as he danced and jumped around the stage, clearly thrilled to be back. Bassist Shaun Cooper was the most reserved on stage but made his presence known when it counted, stepping front and center to play to the fans during key moments.

Taking Back Sunday crafted a setlist that spanned their entire discography, from 2000s emo hits we’ve been playing for decades to songs from their latest album, 152, released in 2023. The crowd devoured every song, including “A Decade Under the Influence,” “What’s It Feel Like to Be a Ghost,” “S’Old,” “Error: Operator,” “Set Phasers to Stun,” “The One,” “Liar,” “Amphetamine Smiles,” “You’re So Last Summer,” “My Blue Heaven,” “You Can’t Look Back,” “Miami,” “This Photograph Is Proof,” “Flicker, Fade,” “Cute Without the E,” and ending with the seminal “MakeDamnSure.” This was my first time seeing Taking Back Sunday, and they delivered the fun, nostalgic experience I had been hoping for.

As the sun fully set and a cool breeze swept through the hills, the anticipation for the second co-headliner, Coheed and Cambria, was palpable. They kicked off their set with “Goodbye, Sunshine,” a high-energy track with a driving beat that immediately got the crowd rocking. Vocalist and guitarist Claudio Sanchez has a voice that cuts through the speakers with power, igniting the energy of the screaming fans. Despite being anchored to the mic for much of the set, Claudio found plenty of moments to jump around the stage like a bunny in a field, even stepping to the edge of the stage to shred the iconic guitar solos that Coheed and Cambria are known for.

Sharing guitar duties was Travis Stever, who played with a more reserved stage presence, allowing Claudio to be the manic focal point. However, Stever’s guitar work was just as eloquent, crafting blistering dueling solos and catchy riffs that have hooked fans for decades. Bassist Zach Cooper held down the low end, adding gravitas to the band’s sound with his groove. Drummer Josh Eppard, despite playing on a relatively simple kit, showcased incredible technique, creating intricate textures and rhythms. His effort was evident as he seemed to constantly catch his breath between songs, all while maintaining a cool and controlled demeanor.

Coheed and Cambria maintained their relentless musical assault throughout their set, featuring songs like “Shoulders,” “Blood Red Summer,” “Blind Side Sonny,” “Everything Evil,” “Number City,” “The Suffering,” “Searching for Tomorrow,” “The Continuum II: The Flood,” “A Favor House Atlantic,” “The Liars Club,” and “In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3.” They returned for a four-song encore, starting with an acoustic rendition of “Corner My Confidence” before electrifying the crowd again with “The Continuum III: Tethered Together,” “Mr. Brightside,” and ending with the iconic “Welcome Home.”

Foxing brought their heavy indie-hardcore sound to kick off the night, Taking Back Sunday delivered a set of emo favorites that had us all singing along, and Coheed and Cambria transported us into the fantasy world they’ve been crafting for three decades. No matter which band was on stage, the fans were fully along for the ride, as each act brought their unique musical signature to the masses.