VIVA POMONA FEST DAY ONE IGNITES WITH RAW ENERGY AND UNFORGETTABLE PERFORMANCES
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY RICHARD VELAZQUEZ
Only in Pomona do you get three stages lit up with crowds ready to sing, scream, sway, and lose themselves in the moment. Viva Pomona Fest opened its stacked weekend with a first day filled with high-energy performances, dreamlike textures, and intimate moments that felt personal to every fan in the room.
Inside The Glass House, Los Eclipses opened the night in a world of their own. Vocalist Eve De Marce and keyboardist Dan Soto created an atmosphere that drew everyone in. Eve’s voice floated through the room with a magnetic pull while Dan’s keys wrapped the crowd in warm layers of sound. The entire room stayed locked in until the final note.
Outside on the Diamond Plaza Stage, Rangoo shifted the night into full motion. Frontman Brian Martinez had the crowd moving instantly. Guitarists Diego Jacquinade and Sebastián Jimenez delivered bright riffs and emotional depth while drummer Jesus Barriga kept everything tight and driving. Rangoo came in from Tustin and proved they can captivate any space with both musicianship and showmanship.
Rio Kosta followed with a set that brought pure groove to the festival. Their basslines made the crowd dance without hesitation and their rhythms spread through the plaza like electricity. The sound reached the floor, the balcony, and every corner in between. It was the kind of set that turns strangers into friends as everyone moves together.
The Velcro Wallets brought the energy of a headlining act. The sax soared at a level that felt unreal, and the keys blended perfectly with the guitars. The drums pulled everything together into a tight and explosive performance. The crowd responded with full force, even opening a circle pit. This is one of those rare bands that you need to experience in person.
Next came 54 Ultra. Their sound blended warmth and soul with a presence that pulled the entire room in. Every member mattered. Vocals, keys, bass, and guitar blended into a sound that felt like a summer evening filled with comfort and nostalgia. Photographing them almost felt impossible because the performance made you forget you were holding a camera.
The night closed inside The Glass House with The Two Lips. Jewlz and Andrea walked on stage to a packed room erupting in cheers. Their chemistry, synchronized movement, and glowing confidence carried the crowd through the final moment of Day One. Fans danced, sang, and celebrated the duo with a sense of unity that defined the entire night.
Viva Pomona Fest Day One delivered music, connection, and a shared energy that captured the beauty of live shows. Every act brought something personal and powerful, giving fans a chance to forget the outside world and live completely in the moment.
