Audacy’s KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas
Feat: Evanescence, Papa Roach, Rise Against, Social Distortion, 4 Non Blondes, The All American Rejects, Third Eye Blind, Yellowcard, Wet Leg and The Paradox
The KIA Forum – Inglewood, CA
Saturday, December 13th, 2025
Review/Pics: Manuel Gay
On December 13th, Angelenos were treated to one of the most highly anticipated holiday events of the year: Audacy’s KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas. Returning to The Forum in Los Angeles for its 2025 edition, the festival once again proved why it remains a staple of the Southern California music scene. With a lineup that seamlessly blended rock heavyweights and rising newcomers, the night celebrated both nostalgia and the future of alternative rock.
KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas has always been the perfect place to see your favorite bands live while discovering new artists on the cusp of shaping tomorrow’s sound and this year was no exception.
Green Carpet Arrivals
The Paradox: Pop-Punk Energy
Opening the night was The Paradox, a pop-punk band from Atlanta that has recently begun rotating on KROQ’s airwaves. Taking the stage around 5:30 p.m., they delivered a high-energy set that warmed up the steadily growing crowd. Their performance reminded me of discovering pop-punk in junior high through bands like Sum 41 or Blink-182, and it’s easy to imagine a new generation having that same experience with The Paradox.
Their set leaned heavily on their recently released EP NSFW, which served as an excellent introduction to a band full of promise. Standout tracks included “Do Me Like That” and “Bender,” the latter featuring Travis Barker on the studio version.
Wet Leg: Indie Rock Electricity
Without missing a beat, the rotating stage revealed Wet Leg, a band I’ve been eager to see live since discovering their self-titled debut a few years ago. The British indie rock duo brought a mix of material from their new album Moisturizer alongside fan favorites like “Chaise Longue” and “Wet Leg.”
The energy inside The Forum was electric. Frontwoman Rhian Teasdale commanded the stage with a mesmerizing presence, effortlessly drawing the audience in. They closed their set with “mangetout,” leaving the crowd buzzing.
Yellowcard: Welcome Back
Next up was Yellowcard, who have made a major comeback this year after nearly a decade-long hiatus. With heavy rotation on KROQ, their inclusion in the lineup felt inevitable. While I wasn’t deeply familiar with their catalog before seeing them earlier this year at When We Were Young, this performance confirmed that they’re a formidable live act.
Violinist Sean Mackin brought infectious energy, hyping the crowd throughout the set. “Breathing” was a personal highlight, while new material like “Better Days” was met with an enthusiastic response from the audience.
Third Eye Blind: A Classic Set
Rock veterans Third Eye Blind followed, reminding everyone why their 1997 self-titled debut remains a cornerstone of alternative rock. Stephan Jenkins and the band took control of the stage like a well-oiled machine, immediately getting the crowd singing and clapping along.
They closed their set with a run of anthems from that debut album, including “Jumper” and “Semi-Charmed Life.” Hearing those songs live was a genuine treat and enough to send me back to explore the rest of their discography.
The All-American Rejects: Nostalgia Reigns
The nostalgic momentum continued with The All-American Rejects, a band amongst others that soundtracked my high school years. They opened with “Swing, Swing,” instantly transporting the crowd to nostalgia-land.
Frontman Tyson Ritter seemed untouched by time, maintaining the same teenage energy with his jokes, crowd interaction, and even crawling across the red carpet earlier in the evening to avoid interrupting another artist’s interview. Hits like “Dirty Little Secret” and “Gives You Hell” had The Forum bouncing.
Surprise! 4 Non Blondes
By this point, rumors of a surprise guest were swirling, and they delivered. The crowd erupted as 4 Non Blondes took the stage, marking another reunion announced this year. Linda Perry, instantly recognizable in her iconic hat, was met with thunderous applause.
She began at the piano with a performance of “Beautiful,” the Christina Aguilera hit she famously wrote, before switching to acoustic guitar. Perry pointed out that they were the only act of the night to actually play acoustic at Almost Acoustic Christmas. The emotional peak came with “What’s Going On?”, as phone lights illuminated the arena, turning The Forum into a glowing planetarium.
Social Distortion: Kickin’ into High Gear
After the intimate surprise set, Social Distortion brought the night back to punk rock intensity. The SoCal legends marked a clear shift in sound, and it wasn’t long before crowd surfers started flying over the barricades.
Frontman Mike Ness, who has led the band since the late ’70s, proved that while the chaos may have mellowed slightly with time, their sound still hits hard. Fan favorites, including their cover of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” kept longtime fans satisfied.
Rise Against Amp it Up
Chicago’s Rise Against kept the momentum going, blending hardcore punk with political activism as they’ve done for over 25 years. Guitarist Zach Blair brought explosive energy, urging the crowd to clap, jump, and sing along.
Vocalist Tim McIlrath dominated the stage, running side to side and performing “Prayer for the Refugee” through his signature megaphone. A surprise cover of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” capped off their set before making way for their former tourmates.
Papa Roach Ignite the Crowd
Enter Papa Roach. If the night had already been a trip down memory lane, this set sealed it. Few bands manage to release new music, fill arenas, and remain relevant decade after decade but Papa Roach continues to do just that.
Frontman Jacoby Shaddix was a force of nature, opening with “Between Angels and Insects” and spending much of the set at the edge of the stage, shaking hands with crowd surfers. New tracks like “Kill the Noise” held their own alongside classics such as “Dead Cell.” And when “Last Resort” finally hit, the crowd erupted. Released in Y2K, it remains an undeniable banger.
Evanescence: Epicnescence!
As the headliners, Evanescence delivered a powerful and emotional finale. While the band’s longevity is impressive, it’s Amy Lee’s voice that continues to set them apart. Her vocals were nothing short of breathtaking. There are singers, and then there’s Amy Lee.
“Going Under” was a standout, and the crowd responded accordingly. Continuing the night of surprises, K.Flay joined the band on stage for “Fight Like a Girl” from the Ballerina soundtrack. Drummer Will Hunt was stellar as always, and it was great to see Emma Anzai (of Sick Puppies) on bass. The final surprise came when Jacoby Shaddix returned to the stage for “Bring Me to Life,” delivering the perfect closing moment.
A Holiday Tradition That Never Disappoints
During the holiday season, KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas is the musical event Angelenos look forward to year after year. It’s a tradition—and one that continues to deliver. The 2025 edition was no exception, offering unforgettable performances, surprise reunions, and moments that will linger long after the lights went down.
Now, all that’s left to do is enjoy the holidays, keep KROQ on the airwaves, and patiently wait another twelve months for the next Almost Acoustic Christmas.
Related Links:
Recent Reviews from Manuel:
2024 KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas – 12/14/25
Eagles Of Death Metal – Teragram Ballroom – 10/30/25
