SUBSTANCE FEST 2025 LIGHTS UP LOS ANGELES WITH FOG, CHAOS, AND PURE SOUND
Substance Fest returned to Los Angeles this year, taking over The Belasco on November 7 and 8, 2025. Each night hosted an incredible lineup of twenty-two artists, and I had the honor of documenting four unforgettable performances.
The drive from San Diego to L.A. felt like the calm before the storm. As the sun dipped behind the hills, I knew I was heading straight into a dark, fog-filled night of noise, lights, and raw energy. Outside The Belasco, the line of fans wrapped around the block, everyone buzzing with anticipation. Inside, the stage was prepped for A Place To Bury Strangers, the noise rock veterans known for turning chaos into art.
They opened with a slow burn, but once the lights hit, it was total sensory overload. Strobes cut through smoke, guitars howled, and the room shook. The drummer, fierce and locked in, stormed into the crowd with her tom drum while the bassist followed close behind. The singer shredded his guitar into pieces. It was the kind of set that leaves your heart pounding long after the last note.
Next up was Geneva Jacuzzi, and from the moment she appeared, it felt like stepping into a dream. The stage was covered in white spikes that looked like icy mountains. Dressed in a stunning white gown and mask, she held three golden masks in one hand as her dancers, men draped in flowing white fabric, moved around her. The crowd stood transfixed, caught between curiosity and awe. Her performance was more than a concert. It was performance art in its purest form.
Then came ADULT, the dark electronic duo who turned the venue into a goth rave. Their studded belts, bleach streaked hair, and sharp sunglasses matched their sound perfectly. It was part German techno, part death rock. The beats were relentless, hypnotic, and impossible to resist moving to. Seeing them live was an experience I’ll replay in my mind for a while.
Closing out my night was TR/ST, led by Robert Alfons. I’ve been a fan since 2020, but nothing compares to seeing him live. When he sprinted onto the stage during Chrissy E’s set, the crowd exploded. Everyone was dancing, arms in the air, completely lost in the moment. For the first night of the festival, TRST played their entire debut album TR/ST, including my favorite, Dressed for Space. Alfons moved with wild energy, jumping, spinning, and singing without missing a beat. He’s the definition of a performer who gives everything.
By the time their set ended, I was exhausted and exhilarated. The night was over, but the energy lingered. Substance Fest proved once again why it’s one of the most diverse, vibrant festivals in Los Angeles where everyone looks, sounds, and expresses themselves differently, but the love of music ties it all together.
Would I go again? In a heartbeat.
