Formed in 1990, 311 has built a recognized and renowned name for themselves at the cross-section of rock, reggae, hip-hop and funk. So no surprise, when the band came to San Diego, the turn-out was enormous.
When the band hit the Cal Coast Arena stage, the crowd exploded with excitement. They opened with one of their most well known hits, “Beautiful Disaster,” followed by favorites like “Sunset In July” and “Come Original.” Hearing 311 vintage hits like “Transistor,” transported fans like me back to middle school, when this song was one on repeat.
The California crowd — a diverse group of all ages — brought their deep love of reggae as the music moved them as one body. When the band finally played “Amber,” the air thickened with nostalgia and every single voice in the crowd sang every last word. Frontman Nice Hexum kept the crowd engaged throughout the entire set, leaving fans immersed in the night and sorry to see it end.
The band’s lighting and production rounded out the amazing experience with a vibrant backdrop. The show paired digital visuals on giant screens with the band’s heaviest hits, emphasizing dynamics of anticipation and release from moment to moment.
Theres a reason this band has been going strong since 1990, and everyone in attendance can agree that California will always greet 311 with a warm “Welcome home.”
