The streets around the 930 Club in D.C. buzzed with excitement last week as eager fans filled the block, stepping into the iconic venue for a night of powerful music. American rock band AWOLNATION, joined by special guest Bryce Fox, were set to deliver an unforgettable performance with their unique blends of electronic-fused and alternative rock sounds. Currently on The Phantom Five Tour, the band plans to visit over 30 cities across nine countries through the end of the year.
Welcoming the incoming crowd was professional surfer-turned-singer Makua Rothman. Born in Hawaii, Makua established a surfing career early in life while also being heavily influenced by music. Encouraged by friends and family, he decided to focus on his musical artistry, releasing his first EP, Makanale Road, in 2012 and his first full-length album, SOUND WAVE in 2013. Despite his musical pursuits, he notably continued his surfing career, winning the title of Big Wave World Champion in 2015. During his performance at the 930 Club, the audience was delighted by his funky, island pop-rock style. After his fun and upbeat set, he and his team took the time to meet fans, greeting people around the venue and hand out MAKUA stickers.
Next was the tour’s special guest, Bryce Fox, a Nashville-based musician whose journey to the stage began in high school, fueled by a passion for music. After college, he moved to L.A. to refine his craft, and over the last decade he has transitioned from a songwriter and collaborator to a successful solo musician. He officially launched his musical career around 2016 with his first single, “Burn Fast.” Bryce has become known for blending elements of alternative rock with pop-punk themes, occasionally incorporating country influences to create his distinct, charismatic sound. With powerful, smooth vocals and soulful lyrics, he quickly captivated the D.C. audience, getting everyone to wave their arms and cheer throughout his performance. Between tracks, Bryce shared stories about himself, his family, and his musical journey, helping newer fans to connect with him.
Bryce’s third major album, The Butterfly and the Bomb, was released in March and explores themes of destruction and rebirth, drawing inspiration from both his personal life and global issues. The album offers a little something for everyone, just like much of his discography, and this translated beautifully into his live performance. During his set, he showcased a mix of earlier songs, such as “Golden Boy” and “Lucy,” as well as newer tracks like “Butterfly” and “On God,” and popular hits like the rock-influenced “Stomp Me Out” and heavy-hitting “Horns.” Bryce Fox’s alternative rock sound seamlessly blended into the overall vibe of the evening, helping the audience transition into the electrifying soundscape of AWOLNATION.
As the opening acts wrapped up, AWOLNATION finally took the stage. The eclectic rock group, formed in 2009 by Aaron Bruno, has spent over a decade shaping their own genre of music that combines pop, electronic, and alternative rock. They debuted their chart-topping song, “Sail,” in 2010, which immediately captured a global audience. Since then, AWOLNATION has continued to evolve their style, experimenting with various genres while incorporating distinct instrumentation and production elements into their music.
With dramatic strobe lights illuminating the band, frontman Bruno commanded the stage, igniting the audience with their opening track “Jump Sit Stand March.” The audience’s energy was palpable right from the start as fans began to bounce and wave their arms in excitement as Aaron engaged with the crowd at the barrier, while his bandmates jammed out on their instruments during the first couple of tracks. Over the next hour and a half, AWOLNATION performed a diverse set of songs from across their discography, honoring fan favorites like “RUN” – during which Aaron introduced each band member and thanked the opening performers for their support – alongside newer tracks like “Barbarian” from their latest album, The Phantom Five, released last summer.
Throughout the night, they played more hits like “Kill Your Heroes,” “Hollow Moon,” and “Not Your Fault,” and the crowd appreciated each selection. Rounding out their performance, the band expressed their gratitude by waving to fans on all sides of the venue before departing the stage. Not ready for the show to end, the crowd began chanting for an encore, hoping to coax AWOLNATION into playing a few more songs despite the late hour.
In response to the request, their finale included two poignant tracks: “Panoramic View” and “Sail.” This selection felt like a meaningful nod to the evolution of their musical journey, highlighting both their debut hit and one of their more recent successes. The first song opened with an electrifying guitar solo during the introductory chords, while shining disco balls hung over the stage, illuminating the entire venue. As they transitioned to the final track, Aaron called out to the crowd, urging them to sing along by shouting, “Let’s blow the fuckin’ roof off – help me!”
The fans enthusiastically responded, singing the lyrics to “Sail” at the top of their lungs and increasing their volume with every pause in the music. At the end of the night, the venue vibrated with the collective energy from all three performances, culminating in a euphoric experience felt by everyone. With many stops still to come, be sure to grab your tickets here – you won’t want to miss catching Bryce Fox and AWOLNATION on The Phantom Five Tour!
Keep up with AWOLNATION: Instagram // Spotify // X // Facebook // Website
Keep up with Bryce Fox: Instagram // Spotify // X // Facebook // Website
Keep up with Makua Rothman: Instagram // Spotify // Facebook // Website
