Morning View + The Hits Tour
Live at Bridgestone Arena | Nashville
June 29th, 2025 Review Traci Turner
Incubus kicked off the next leg of their Morning View + The Hits tour in Nashville last week, and I will never forgive you if you do not catch it when it stops in your area. In addition to a phenomenal show from the California band, it had the power to make me forget about the dumpster fire of a world for three hours.
The rock band originally launched in Calabasas was already riding high thanks to “Pardon Me” and “Drive” when they dropped “Morning View” in 2001. That album sealed their fate as music legends with singles “Wish You Were Here,” “Nice to Know You,” and “Warning.”
Brandon Boyd (vocals), Mike Einziger (guitar), Nicole Row (bass), José Pasillas (drums), and Chris Kilmore (turntables) are playing the full album – plus some familiar tunes after – over the next month, and will close things out July 19th in Chula Vista at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre (they also have an October 4th show at Intuit Dome).
When I spoke with Kilmore last month, he confessed the band is working on a new album, which was teased on their social media as “Something in the Water.” “I think it’s good. I think it’s great. I think the new record we wrote is incredible. But I think that about all the records,” he had chuckled. “This one has something a little special, like a little ‘Morning View’-esque vibe to it as far as us being in a good space and having a lot of fun writing this record.”
And so we wait and enjoy the “Morning View” we know until then…
When I saw Incubus in 2023, Paris Jackson was the opener and she had seemed a little shy, but talented, performing with a full band. This time, she was alone, perched on a chair with an acoustic guitar, sharing her magical voice with the early crowd. Honestly, a scary thing to me – just you and your voice in an arena?! Early crowd or not, that’s still terrifying! But Jackson welcomed the crowd, “Thanks for coming early. My name is Paris and I’m going to play some songs for you, then get the fuck out so you can see my favorite band, Manchester Orchestra, then fucking Incubus.”
Jackson stayed seated and acoustic for the whole short set, and after the first song, she admitted she was nervous because all of these songs were brand new and they had never been played in public. She did an amazing job and I feel she has improved so much in the past two years.
As these were new songs, the titles are not readily available, but I caught one as “My Buckling Knees.” The second song included lyrics “say you loved me” and it being “the happiest day of my life.” Her third song included “so much pain and hate in this love,” but also an incredible note at the end that she held strongly and beautifully. If the crowd was half paying attention, that note grabbed them because the response was huge.
After a song that she said was about gaslighting, for the next song, “The Colour Blue,” she said, “I wrote this song about the sound guy. We’re engaged now.” Loud cheers erupted from the audience and after six songs, Jackson departed the stage with a quick, “Have a great night, everybody.”
There was a quick set change, then indie rockers Manchester Orchestra walked out and leapt right into playing, the drum beat pounding our chests for “Pride.”
The floor and bleachers of the arena were rattling, the band was moving all over jumping and kicking, and any floor crowd that had been seated was standing by the end of the song.
Hailing from Georgia after forming in 2004, Manchester Orchestra now contains Andy Hull (vocals, guitar), Robert McDowell (guitar), Andy Prince (bass), and Tim Very (drums), with touring member Brooks Tipton (keys).
Hull welcomed the crowd with, “We’re Manchester Orchestra from Atlanta. Thanks for being here,” took a sip from a red Solo cup, and went back to the music.
I confess to not knowing Manchester Orchestra before this night, so hearing Hull’s scream on “Keel Timing” was incredible, and I was very impressed by the harmonies on “Bed Head.” The stripped down interlude in “Shake It Out” was very nice, and the well-filled venue was very into “Cope,” as evidenced by all the head nods, arms raised, fists in the air.
The band was all in time, Hull’s vocals were powerful and even when he pulled away from the mic, his voice could be heard easily. They took us through “The Gold,” “The Sunshine,” “Dinosaur,” and “The Silence,” then Hull said, “Thank you to Paris and the rock gods, Incubus. We’re Manchester Orchestra from Atlanta, Georgia. Thank you for giving us your time tonight.” The guys disappeared from stage as the arena full of fans cheered wildly in appreciation.
When it was time for Incubus, the lights dropped, everyone rose to their feet, and the cheers began as each member walked onto the stage. When frontman Brandon Boyd strode out, the noise level escalated exponentially. Performing the album “Morning View” meant starting with “Nice to Know You” with Chris “DJ Kil” Kilmore’s scratch intro and Boyd’s vocalizations, and it became a massive crowd singalong. The fans were swaying, shouting, cheering, fists in the air, and the applause and cheers were so incredibly loud when it ended.
With a quick “How you doing Nashville?” from Boyd, they moved to “Circles” and the band made use of the various ramps and risers on the large stage. Poor José Pasillas was tucked in the back with his drums, but throughout the show, Mike Einziger, Nicole Row, and Boyd would visit him.
Boyd then moved to the riser at the front of the stage to say, “Thank you. Greetings.” Then they were off to another favorite that became a crowd singalong, “Wish You Were Here.”
Bridgestone Arena
Nashville, Tennessee
June 25th, 2025
While this is about Incubus and what a fantastic musical performance they gave, which they overwhelmingly did, when “Just a Phase” hit, an incredible laser show launched that had me hypnotized. All the stage visuals and lights were masterfully blended for this show and it truly stood out. The lighting peeps need major kudos for their work on this tour.
Now, back to the band, Boyd did not speak too much, but did thank the crowd often. I appreciated how anytime a member of the band was doing something solo-ish, they were spotlighted by the light crew – a bit of scratching from Kilmore, light; some drum solo from Pasillas, light – no one was left out.
Boyd asked, “How you guys feeling tonight?” They went into “11am” and then Boyd, Row, and Einziger moved to the riser directly in front of Pasillas’ drum kit. Boyd jokingly asked the other two, “What are you guys doing here?” before complimenting Row on her “amazing” hair. With Row and Einziger acoustic-ish, Boyd sang a stripped-down version of “Blood on the Ground” that showed off just how powerful his voice remains. As they were in Nashville, Boyd joked, “I feel like there’s a country version of that song somewhere.” Then chuckled, “That was a mixed reaction” to the crowd’s unreadable response.
Boyd and Einziger moved back to the front of stage riser for “Mexico” for an acoustic version that brought a singalong. Truth be told, EVERY song brought a loud singalong!
When it was time for “Warning,” we were back to the full band and sweet-ass lasers. “Echo” showcased Row and Boyd’s absolutely gorgeous harmonies. “Have You Ever” had another incredible laser show with the band rocking out.
I know I said this the last time I reviewed Incubus and I guess I will say it again – they are all so freaking amazing. The talent in this band never fails to blow me away and give me a concert high that lasts for days, making me want to drive to other states for every show. (sighs in adulting)
As “Morning View” continued, “Are You In?” included a nice chunk of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” – of course including the iconic drum portion – and Boyd assisting in his percussion zone that housed a large gong and djembe. Boyd then put himself at Einziger’s feet as the two of them began Rihanna’s “Umbrella” before exploding into their “Under My Umbrella” with the full band.
A concert rarity that now gets to be played due to the whole “album in its entirely” thing, “Aqueous Transmission” had Einziger handling the pipa perfectly, and once again, hypnotic lasers. (No, I am not a cat.) Once again, the beautiful harmonies from Row and Boyd were on display.
Upon conclusion of the album, Boyd said, “Thank you so much. What a trip. We appreciate every single one of you. We appreciate you guys coming out tonight and listening to this album from such a long time ago. It means the world to us. With your permission, we’re going to play you some more songs.”
I thought it was loud before, but holy hell, it was as if a switch flipped. We finished the business of “Morning View,” and were now ready for an out of control after party. The venue began vibrating with the intro of “Megalomaniac” and the crowd began yelling in celebration. I must admit I liked this song, but this performance reminded me just how fucking good it is. Plus, the video – from the early 2000s – is creepily accurate for today.
I came home and immediately put “Megalomaniac” in heavy rotation on my playlist.
Incubus had the venue rocking with “Anna Molly,” but when the whale sounds intro to “The Warmth” started, the crowd started screaming. Maybe I did to. But the lyrics: “So don’t let the world bring you down, Not everyone here is that fucked up and cold, Remember why you came, and while you’re alive, Experience the warmth before you grow old,” gave me a little reminder of hope.
“Vitamin” not only included some of Boyd’s djembe skills and a sweet Pasillas breakdown, but they also added in Portishead’s “Glorybox” to the end. Fantastic all around.
As the end was approaching, the “Stellar” finale blended right into “Pardon Me” and crowd yelled the lyrics back to Boyd, who stood on the front riser encouraging it all.
“Y’all have been so good to us. Thank you,” Boyd said before sitting down, joined by Row and Einziger. “Michael. Nicole,” Boyd announced. They started “Drive” acoustic, but eventually left Boyd on the riser alone. Einziger did the solo bit as Boyd whistled and the band joined in to finish off the evening.
Incubus waved, tossed picks, and Boyd exclaimed, “I love you Nashville. Thank you so much. Thank you to Manchester Orchestra and Paris Jackson for playing with us tonight as well. You guys have a beautiful night. Cheers.”
I did not want the night to end! Such a phenomenal show from Incubus and they sound better than ever. Do not risk my wrath by skipping their show.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Stephanie Pepper Photography
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TO FOLLOW
SID 250628 | JIMMY ALVAREZ | EDITOR
coming July 19th in Chula Vista at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre