Ride’s tour stop at The Fonda Theater on December 19th will remain among the top concerts ever. One knows immediately they are in the midst of something truly remarkable. Shows aren’t always successfully captured in words and summarized to report the night’s events as they unfold. As the saying goes, you have to be there to experience a band live and hear the music in person. It’s very much like capturing lightning in a bottle. To savor that indescribable magic, essence, and spirit of the performances.

From the first note Ride played, and this is no exaggeration, the concertgoer was transported to the 1990s when the band hit the music scene and first made its indelible mark. But that wasn’t all there was; there was so much more. The English rock band has had a remarkable and storied career, punctuated by dramatic and emotional peaks and valleys. Plus, several albums have been released, and they have toured worldwide.

Now, in 2024, they are showing everyone how important and, yes, relevant they remain to this day. Ride has continued to influence countless bands and artists. It’s a lasting legacy and testament to their sheer talents as musicians and songwriters: Mark Gardener on vocals and rhythm guitar; Andy Bell on Vocals, lead guitar, and keyboards; Steve Queralt on bass, and Laurence "Loz" Colbert on drums. Collectively, they have unique artistry that can’t be denied or overstated. Their music is intricate, textured, subtle, nuanced, complex, rocking, and outright noisy in the most extraordinary way possible.

The second to last leg and end of its North American tour in Hollywood, CA, found Ride leaving fans in literal awe of the depth, breadth, and scope of the music. Ride can do it all well, and we’re definitely “killing it.” In fact, Mark Gardener made a wry, deadpan passing comment to the near-capacity audience in that he hoped they were and have been at it “awhile.”

With a vast catalog of material to draw from, Ride’s set was over 20 songs, and the show ran 90 minutes long. The pacing was brisk and seamless. It combined new singles “Last Frontier,” “Monaco,” “I Came to See the Wreck,” and “Portland Rocks” from Interplay and classic tracks such as “Dreams Burn Down,” “Sennen,” and “Taste” from Nowhere, and “Kill Switch” from Not  A Safe Place.

None of the latest material felt or sounded like filler or something they needed to push to promote their latest project. It was genuinely that good. The songs reflect the current, changing landscape and time in music. The ride has never let itself be put in a box or defined by one thing.

This exciting and satisfying show demonstrated Ride was more than willing to look back and be proud of their career history with elements of nostalgia fans love. Yet, there is an eye on the present and a focus on the future. Ride plans to continue touring and release new albums. All of that feeds Ride’s creative impulses and drive to make music they find interesting as a collective unit on their terms.

Rocket

The Los Angeles-based alt-shoegaze rock band Rocket soared with a strong, hard-driving sound that was a resounding hit with Ride devotees.

They released their own debut EP, Versions Of You, in 2023. Their scintillating sound offers crunchy, fuzzy choruses and melodies that are magnetic.

Rocket features singer-bassist Alithea Tuttle, drummer Cooper Ladomade, and guitarists Baron Rinzler and Desi Scaglione. Set highlights included “Sugarcoated,” “On Your Heels,” and “Portrait Show.”

Mark Gardener told the audience during Ride’s set he enjoyed having Rocket tour with them and that they just gotten signed. Rocket’s polite and humble lead singer also said it was an honor touring with Ride and graciously commented they had the best team behind them.

Despite suffering from a sore throat, Tuttle delivered a committed and solid performance, immersing herself entirely into the music, which wasn’t that hard to do given the band was strong because Rocket was a motivating force.

It’s easy to say it was a lucky break for a relatively new act. Still, they have the chops and dynamic, knock-out style of music and seem technically seasoned regardless of their youth and experience, making them the perfect group Ride chose to open.