The Kia Forum was both sold in spirit and sold out on August 29th, with fans arriving early — nostalgia evident in their shirts, tattoos, and merch. Glancing around, it was easy to see who all of this hype was for: The Offspring. But it wasn’t just the beloved Y2K-era rock band that drew a crowd. Special guests Jimmy Eat World and New Found Glory also brought in fans by the masses to witness this incredible lineup.
New Found Glory kicked off the show with explosive energy and nostalgia pop punk anthems. They ran through a set full of fan favorites — opening with “Understatement” followed by “All Downhill From Here.” The band sounded fresh as ever and the audience was on their feet instantly shouting back every word. Fans were treated to a surprise when frontman Jordan Pundik hopped into the crowd and circled the entire arena floor, meeting fans as he performed “Hit Or Miss.” Saving the best for last, New Found Glory wrapped up their set with “My Friend’s Over You,” sending the crowd into a whirlwind of cheers. It’s clear that even though it’s been over two decade, we’ll never get over New Found Glory.
Jimmy Eat World hit the stage not long after, shifting the mood to a little less overdrive, but a lot more emo. They saved a lot of the best for last: “Bleed American,” “Sweetness,” and finally “The Middle.” Overall, the band’s sound was polished and better than most who’ve been around for as long as they’ve been. Vocals were clear, instrumentals sounded on point and the entire band sounded in sync. The crowd was drowning in nostalgia — fans of all ages, including those with kids of their own, sang along from the moment they burst onto the stage with “Pain” until the final note of “The Middle.”
A neon green blimp with a camera floated around the arena as the crowd began to get hyped for The Offspring. Fans participated in various challenges across the jumbotron as the anticipation grew. Finally, “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC started to play and the entire place began to rumble. The Offspring walked on stage to a roar of applause before launching into “Come Out and Play.” Dexter and Noodles had entertaining banter — fun jokes and stories of the past, poking at themselves, and letting the crowd in on some of their fondest memories. Not only did they play recent material, as well as a slew of their mega-hits — but we were surprised with a few covers! The band gave tribute to Ozzy with “Crazy Train” as well as Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” along with The Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated.”
The Offspring, along with New Found Glory and Jimmy Eat World, reminded us that teenage nostalgia doesn’t have to solely mean flashbacks to the past — it can mean doing those old things really well in the present. Adding in new elements and crafting a show that still hits us in the feels is the biggest accomplishment of this tour. It was a night of tremendous sing-alongs, familiar riffs, and surprise moments. If you weren’t, this show is a reminder why alternative and pop punk from the 90s and Y2K era still resonates — these artists carried something special then, and they still carry it now.
GALLERY: The Offspring with New Found Glory and Jimmy Eat World at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California (August 29, 2025)
