After being a fan of Incubus for over 20 years and of Coheed and Cambria for five years, I finally saw both bands live for the first time this past Tuesday, August 27th. The atmosphere in the parking lot was electric, fueled by the energy of a Philadelphia Phillies game happening just down the road (GO PHILS!).
For the uninitiated, the Wells Fargo Center isn’t just an arena—it’s a place where sound takes on a life of its own, where every note and every riff reverberates through your chest, a sentiment echoed by my significant other, who was delighted by the heavy bass tones from the opening act Coheed and Cambria.
I must mention how much I enjoyed Coheed. From the moment the band began to play, the early crowd was electrified. If you’re about to go to an Incubus concert and are unfamiliar with Coheed and Cambria before the show, witnessing them live will help you understand why they have such a devoted following. Especially Claudio. His guitar work throughout the brief nine-song set was outstanding, with a memorable moment being when he lifted his guitar above his head during an extended and impressive solo, shredding without missing a beat. Their opening set was fantastic, but it felt too short. I understand Incubus was the night’s highlight, but nine songs seemed brief for such a talented band. We had such a good time witnessing Coheed that we both committed to seeing them at a headlining date the next time they come through Philadelphia.
Now, let’s talk about Incubus and their stunning performance. On this night, they treated the audience to a performance of Morning View, an album many fans consider some of their best work. There’s been a lot of talk about Brandon Boyd’s voice on Reddit following his septum surgery a few years back. But I’m here to say Brandon proved those detractors wrong. Not only did he sound flawless, but I will also say that Boyd’s vocals were as solid and clear as ever, carrying the same power that made Incubus a staple of the early 2000s. He may be greyer than in his youth, but his voice is still timeless.
Visually, Incubus put on a spectacular show. It was a mesmerizing blend of atmosphere, trippy visuals, and peaceful moments—an experience that you have to witness to appreciate fully. Unlike Coheed and Cambria, who stuck to a straightforward (although tasteful) LED light show, Incubus took it to another level. The stage came alive with psychedelic visuals, 3D imagery, lasers, and fog that seemed to reach out to the crowd. It was not just a concert visually but a whole sensory experience that evoked shades of Pink Floyd, albeit with today’s technological advancements. At one point, the lasers felt so close that it seemed like they were right above my head! I’ve seen lasers at a Linkin Park show before, but this was in a league of its own.
Musically, Incubus stayed true to the original versions of Morning View, apart from a few songs converted to acoustic. It seems they opted for purity over reinterpretations found on Morning View 23. While I did love the reinterpretations found on MV23, this wasn’t an issue for me.
However, Incubus didn’t solely rely on the nostalgia of fans excited to hear such a classic album. They also surprised the crowd with unexpected covers, seamlessly weaving in snippets of Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight” during “Are You In?”, Rihanna’s “Umbrella” within “Under My Umbrella,” Portishead’s “Glory Box” during “Vitamin,” and a full rendition of The Beatles’ “Come Together” as a standalone cover. Brandon seemed to enjoy these moments, showcasing the band’s versatility and deep respect for the music that influenced them.
But if we’re focusing on great performances, let’s give a moment to show love for the band’s newest member, Nicole Rowe, who added a fresh dynamic to Incubus’ sound the entire night. Her contributions as bassist and backing vocalist brought a new depth to Incubus’ sound, and her gorgeous harmonies blended perfectly with Boyd’s, uniquely layering his expressive voice. It’s clear that Rowe is a natural fit for the band, and it will be exciting to see how her presence might shape future projects.
Finally, one of the most impressive aspects of the night was Boyd’s stamina. Instead of taking a short break before the encore, like many bands, Incubus powered straight through and delivered their final set with the same intensity as the rest of the show. I don’t know where they get their energy, but it’s admirable. In a post-Covid world where ticket prices are higher than ever, Incubus made sure to give the fans an experience worth every penny. However, I was slightly disappointed that “Stellar,” one of my favorite Incubus singles, didn’t make the “hits” portion of the setlist; the overall experience made up for it.
As someone who has been a fan of both bands for years but had never seen them live, I believe this concert was a perfect blend of technical brilliance, emotional resonance, and pure, unfiltered rock. I cannot wait to see both bands live again, and I am so grateful I got to experience this tour. What a night!
