KROQ-FM 106.7  and Audacy reminded fans at the 33rd annual Almost Acoustic Christmas concert at the Kia Forum on Saturday, Dec. 14, that the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll holiday cheer is still very much alive and well.

Seas of concertgoers packed the venue, many of them still embracing the festive spirit with Santa hats, red chrome outfits, and the occasional ugly Christmas sweater. The sold-out, single-day event featured standout performances from The Smashing Pumpkins, Beck, 311, Sublime, Jimmy Eat World, Franz Ferdinand, Royel Otis, AWOLNATION, The Linda Lindas, and bby.

Here are fan-favorite highlights from the show.

Franz Ferdinand’s evolution

When Franz Ferdinand took the stage at KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas, it was clear the Scottish rockers were ready to make an impact. The crew ran onstage, encouraging the crowd to get loud as the opening notes of “Bar Lonely” rang out. As the fourth band of the evening, following AWOLNATION, their performance was a high-energy celebration of rock, mixing timeless hits with a fresh twist that captured the essence of the night.

Moments after their set, I spoke with lead singer Alex Kapranos, who shared how the band’s audience continues to evolve. “It’s been amazing to see how much things have surged in the last few years,” Alex said, still energized from the performance. “A lot of much younger people are discovering our music these days. Fans often share stories like, ‘Oh, you were my dad’s favorite band,’ which is pretty surreal.”

For Alex, this growing connection with younger fans brings back memories of his own musical influences. “What’s really cool is that, like me growing up, not everyone sticks to contemporary bands. I loved artists like David Bowie and The Beatles, even though their music was around before I was born. It’s humbling to think we might now be that kind of band for some people.”

The band’s performance at Almost Acoustic Christmas was a flawless blend of their iconic tracks like “Take Me Out” and “This Fire” and newer songs like “Slams” and “Hooks.” The crowd was all in, proving that Franz Ferdinand’s appeal spans multiple generations.

“The response to the record so far has been really good. Even songs like “Slams” or “Hooks”—which we played tonight for a crowd that had never heard them before—still seemed to resonate. You could feel the energy. And as Bob always says, you never take that kind of reaction for granted.”

Reflecting on his experiences, Alex recalled, “It’s funny because the first time you come to something like this, you don’t really know what to expect. You hear, ‘Almost Acoustic Christmas,’ and think, ‘What does that even mean?’ But now, having done it a handful of times, you know it’s always a great time—lots of amazing bands and a fantastic vibe. It’s always an intense experience, in the best way.”

Beck’s Fun-Filled Set: A Holiday Surprise

One of the night’s highlights was Beck, who kept the fuel high with his eclectic mix of alternative rock, funk, and experimental sounds. His set was a blast, as he played some of his biggest hits like “Loser” and “Devil’s Haircut,” keeping the crowd on their feet. But Beck also threw in some unexpected stories into the mix for the crowd.

“It’s good to be back home,” he shared. “I just got two Christmas trees, they were having a two-for-one deal out in Burbank so that was nice.”

“I’ve been playing shows with these bands for a long time,” Beck reflected, adding, “Tonight feels a little bit like a high school reunion.” His set felt like a celebration of his journey, from his early days in the industry to his status as a genre-defying legend. As Beck wrapped up with “E-Pro” and “Dreams,” it was clear that his connection to the audience was as strong as ever, and the crowd couldn’t get enough.

His performance was a testament to how timeless his music is, from “Where It’s At” to “E-Pro.” As Beck brought his signature blend of quirky and catchy to the stage, the audience was reminded of just how much he’s continued to evolve since his early days in the industry.

311’s Timeless Classics and Christmas Cheer

311 brought their signature blend of reggae, rock, and hip-hop to the stage with a high-energy set that had the crowd jumping. Classic hits like “Down” and “Amber” sounded as fresh as ever, while new tracks from their latest record resonated just as strongly. Their stage presence never wavered, and the enthusiasm was infectious.

Perhaps the most memorable moment of their set came when they covered The Cure’s “Lovesong,” which, no matter if you were a parent accompanying your kid or a pair of adolescents, you were mouthing the words.

Sublime: Sun-Soaked Vibes and Timeless Hits

Sublime brought their trademark mix of reggae-infused rock and laid-back cool to the stage, giving the crowd a dose of California sunshine on a crisp December night. From the first notes of “Summertime,” the crowd was with them, singing along to every word. Frontman Jakob Nowell, son of the previous lead man Bradley Nowell, connected with the audience on a personal level: “Who’s out here with friends, family, or loved ones? Let’s give it up for the memories we’re about to create right here right now,” he said, drawing loud cheers.

The Long Beach crew effortlessly weaved through their greatest hits—“What I Got,” “Date Rape,” and “Wrong Way”—each one bringing a wave of nostalgia. The band’s relaxed vibe turned into a full-on party when Nowell shared a funny anecdote: “They paid us 400 dollars and 8 Diet Pepsis to be here, so we’re stocked.”

Things got even more fun when a dog strolled onto the stage during “Wrong Way,” happily seeking a belly rub.

Smashing Pumpkins Return

Smashing Pumpkins closed the night in epic fashion. Frontman Billy Corgan, decked out in all black, led the band through classics like “Today is the Greatest” and the anthemic “1979”. The crowd was treated to a mix of new tracks and older hits like “Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” and “Tonight, Tonight,” as well as their famous cover of David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust.” Guitarist James Iha took the lead on a heartfelt rendition of U2’s “Zoo Station,” showing off the band’s range and deep respect for rock royalty.

“We played our first acoustic show in 1994 and thanks to you, it’s still here,” Corgan shared, capturing the gratitude of a band that’s still going strong after all these years.

Jimmy Eat World’s High-Energy Set and Christmas Cheer

Jimmy Eat World’s set was another high point of the evening, with the band bringing their emotionally charged sound to the stage. Tracks like “The Middle” and “Sweetness” had the crowd jumping, while “Last Christmas,” their unexpected cover of the Wham classic, brought an extra dose of holiday cheer.

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KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas

When: Saturday, Dec. 14

Where: Kia Forum, Inglewood