The 22nd Annual KROQ Weenie Roast took over the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, Calif. on May 31st, with an eclectic line-up celebrating acts on the station’s playlist, at what is the longest continuous running radio festival in the country. One of the things that becomes apparent at the yearly show is that there’s enough variety that there’s something for just about everyone, but that the bands themselves are appreciative to be there and are excited to see and support their fellow artists.
After side stage sets from Cherub, Bleachers (featuring fun. guitarist Jack Antonoff), The 1975, Phantogram, American Authors and Kongos, Capital Cities and Fitz and the Tantrums kicked things off with lively sets on the main stage. The Neighbourhood got the crowd going while the singer strutted and showed off his tattoos. And the guys that make up Fall Out Boy were clearly happy to be back on stage and rockin’ out, even sharing how nervous they were about coming back after spending some time apart.
One of the true stand-outs of the day was British band Bastille, who kept it low-key, but let their talent shine on such familiar songs as “Bad Blood” and “Pompeii.” As the sun went down, Foster the People played their most famous song “Pumped Up Kicks” early on, but kept the crowd rockin’ throughout their set.
Having first played the Weenie Roast in 1994, and citing that most of the crowd probably hadn’t even been born yet, Beck kicked off his set with “Loser,” before adding “Devil’s Haircut,” “Where It’s At” and a surprisingly danceable cover of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” to his set list.
Swedish DJ AVICII made his Weenie Roast debut, closing out the night with his brand of electronic dance music that got everyone up out of their seats.
– 2014 KROQ Weenie Roast Photo Gallery
