Fear and Loathing and Sublime in Las Vegas

Vegas was the home for two jam-packed days of fun, sun, and of course — Sublime. The band rolled through the Dolby Live Theater at Park MGM with Pennywise and guests, and we were there to witness it front row!

Pennywise

I finally got to cross a big one off my bucket list: seeing Pennywise live. And let me tell you — they did not disappoint.

The show was everything you’d want from a band that helped shape 90s punk. Loud, fast, sweaty, and totally unfiltered. From the second they walked on stage, the energy shifted. No flashy intros, no dramatic build-up — just straight into the first track like a punch to the chest. Pure Pennywise.

They ripped through a killer setlist packed with fan favorites like ‘Fight Till You Die’, ‘Same Old Story’, and of course, the anthem to end all anthems: ‘Bro Hymn’. That one hit hard. It’s one of those rare songs that turns a room full of strangers into one loud, thrashing, united front. They even brought out Fat Mike from NOFX to perform a Bad Religion cover.

The pit was wild in the best way, but even if you were just hanging in the back, the energy was contagious. You couldn’t not get into it. People were dancing, yelling, laughing — just having a damn good time.

What really stood out, though, was how tight the band still is after all these years. Jim Lindberg’s voice still has that grit and urgency, and Fletcher Dragge’s guitar work was just relentless. They’re seasoned vets, but they play like they’ve still got something to prove. And the banter between songs? Hilarious. You can tell they genuinely love what they do — and love giving their fans a night to remember.

Bottom line: if you’ve never seen Pennywise live, fix that ASAP. Whether you’ve been listening to them since the ‘Full Circle’ days or you’re just diving into punk for the first time, their live show is the real deal.

Sublime

This wasn’t my first time seeing Sublime live with Jakob Nowell — and honestly, that made it even better. The first time around, I was curious. This time, I knew what I was in for: a high-energy, emotional ride through some of the most iconic songs to ever come out of SoCal. And they still managed to surprise me. There’s something about seeing this band live, even after all these years, that just feels special.

Opening with ‘Date Rape’, the whole band and the crowd were completely locked in. Jakob has his own thing going on — he’s not trying to be a carbon copy of his dad — but there’s something really powerful about hearing those songs performed by his son. It adds a weight and a weird sense of healing that you don’t expect.

The band sounded tight as ever. Eric Wilson’s basslines were thick and funky, keeping everything grounded while the crowd swayed, danced, and occasionally lost their minds. Bud Gaugh’s drumming hasn’t lost a step either. It’s wild how well he still holds down those fast-paced punk sections and instantly flips back into that chill reggae pocket.

They played all the classics — ‘Badfish’, ‘Wrong Way’, ‘April 29, 1992’, ‘What I Got’ — and honestly, every single one hit harder than the last. It wasn’t just a nostalgia trip, although yeah, there were moments where it totally was. It felt alive and current. Like these songs still matter and still mean something.

One of the best parts of the show was the crowd. Such a mixed bag! OG fans who were probably there in the ’90s, younger kids rocking vintage Sublime tees, and everyone in between. There were drinks flowing, joints being passed (obvi), and a shared feeling that we were all just happy to be part of the moment.

They wrapped the night with ‘Santeria’, and I swear it felt like everyone in the place was floating for a few minutes. You could just close your eyes, feel the bassline in your chest, and be transported to that weird, perfect place where Sublime’s music always seems to take you — somewhere between the beach and home.

Sublime is back, and they’re not just riding on the past — they’re honoring it while making it their own. If you ever get the chance to see them live, do it. Their music still hits, and the live show brings it to life in a way that’s loose and fun.

Long live Sublime.