The Orpheum Theatre, a Los Angeles landmark since 1926, has hosted some of the greatest names in music—Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, to name a few. On Wednesday, that legacy grew a little bolder with The Voidz’s electrifying performance, led by Julian Casablancas. Touring in support of their latest album, Like All Before You, which dropped in September, The Voidz brought a frenetic energy that filled the ornate theater.

Setting the stage for the night was Crack Cloud, an indie rock collective from Vancouver, Canada with a reputation for channeling their chaotic history into cathartic performances. Their set was a raw, almost therapeutic release, as if they were exorcising something deep from within. It was punk rock as a communal purge—loud, brash, and thrilling. Crack Cloud has cycled through many musicians over the years, with Wednesday’s lineup pounding out a sound that felt both urgent and intentional. Their songs, mostly from their new album Red Mile, echoed the fire of bands like The Clash, aiming lyrical punches at systemic failures and the stranglehold of corporate greed.

While Crack Cloud’s music danced the line between avant-punk and indie, their live show was anything but restrained. It felt as if they had pulled the trigger flare gun, sending the crowd’s energy soaring and leaving a buzz that lingered in the air. The band’s spirit and political fervor set the perfect stage for The Voidz, who, like the openers, are unafraid to confront social issues in their music.

The Voidz’s latest album has been described as “post-apocalyptic, retro-futuristic,” and the stage reflected that vibe with eerie precision. Barrels adorned the set, oozing smoke, while green neon paint glowed under black lights, tracing chaotic patterns. The edge of the stage was wrapped in razor wire, with strange sculptures of mutated animals scattered about, as if they had crawled from the toxic waste of some future dystopia. It was a scene straight out of a world gone sideways.

The crowd was on their feet the moment Julian stepped onto the stage. The Voidz fed off that energy, trading riffs back and forth, using the drummer’s platform as a launch pad for their antics. There was an obvious connection between the band and the audience that went beyond words. A mutual building of energy, between artist and fan.

Much like Like All Before You, the vocals were filtered and distorted, cloaking the lyrics in mystery, as though Julian Casablancas was singing from the other side of a smokescreen. But that didn’t stop the crowd from cheering along, losing themselves in the chaos. The night wasn’t about perfect clarity; it was about the experience, the feeling of being a part of something slightly unhinged and unforgettable.

The Orpheum Theatre’s storied history gained another chapter. It was a night where punk grit met futuristic angst. A night full of new music from two bands not scared to speak their minds.

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