Alpha Wolf + Gideon Close Out Explosive Tour at the Glasshouse
june 6th, 2026 • the glasshouse •pomona, california
full gallery can be found here
Serving as the final stop of the tour, the evening of June 6th carried an added sense of celebration and emotion, made even more special as the bands and crew celebrated the birthday of their photographer Olivia. With one final show standing between them and the end of another successful run, Alpha Wolf and their support acts made sure to leave Southern California with something memorable. From the moment doors opened, it was clear the evening would be one defined by intensity.
Hailing from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Gideon have spent more than a decade establishing themselves as one of the most reliable forces in modern metalcore and hardcore. Formed in 2008, the band first gained recognition through a blend of Southern hardcore aggression and metalcore precision before gradually evolving toward a heavier, groove-driven sound. Releases such as Cold, Out of Control, and 2023's More Power. More Pain. showcased a band unafraid to expand its sound while remaining rooted in the raw intensity that first earned them a devoted following. Through their eputation for energetic live performances and much more, Gideon have become one of the genre's most enduring and respected acts.
Before Alpha Wolf ever stepped on stage, Gideon made sure the room was already running hot. The band brought an unmistakable Southern feeling to their brand of hardcore, combining crushing breakdowns with an infectious sense of fun that transformed the floor into a sea of movement. Opening with "No Love/No One" and charging through fan favorites like "Take Me," "Too Much Is Never Enough," and "Bite Down," Gideon delivered a set that never allowed the energy to dip. Their performance was heavy with massive low-end and thunderous drumming giving each song an overwhelming physical presence. Something about seeing the frontman of a metalcore band wearing a large cowboy hat and sunglasses scratched something in my brain.
Formed in Melbourne, Australia in 2013, Alpha Wolf have steadily emerged as one of the defining voices in modern metalcore. Known for blending punishing breakdowns, nu-metal influences, and emotionally charged lyricism, the band first gained international attention with early releases such as Mono before reaching new heights with 2020's acclaimed sophomore album, A Quiet Place to Die. Following the arrival of vocalist Lochie Keogh and the release of their 2024 full-length Half Living Things, Alpha Wolf have continued to evolve while maintaining the ferocity and intensity that have made them a favorite among heavy music fans worldwide.
The first time I saw the Australian band was back in 2023, when they were at the bottom of a stacked lineup featuring Bury Tomorrow, Knocked Loose, and Motionless in White. Even then, there was something special about the band. Their set immediately caught my attention, and I found myself diving into their catalog after the show. Three years later, seeing them headline their own room served as a reminder of just how far they've come. Not only has the band grown significantly, but they've evolved as performers. Their stage presence has sharpened, their chemistry feels stronger than ever, and every member now carries themselves with the confidence of a band fully stepping into its own. The growth has been impossible to ignore, and this performance was proof of that evolution.
Simply put, Alpha Wolf delivered one of the best sets I've seen all year. Opening with "Bring Back the Noise" before tearing through fan favorites like "Akudama," "Mangekyō," "Pretty Boy," and "Sub-Zero," the band never let their foot off the gas. Frontman Lochie Keogh was magnetic throughout the evening, effortlessly directing circle pits, singalongs, and endless crowd surfers while maintaining the ferocity that has become synonymous with Alpha Wolf's live shows. Meanwhile, the band delivered the razor-sharp grooves that have become Alpha Wolf's signature. Every breakdown landed with precision, every groove hit with devastating impact, and songs like "Creep" and "Sucks 2 Suck" produced some of the loudest reactions of the night. Knowing this was the final date of the tour, energy remained high from start to finish, with fans screaming every lyric back toward the stage and the pit in constant motion. At one point, a group of men even broke into a rowing pit, sitting on the floor and mimicking rowing motions before exploding back into the chaos around them—a ridiculous moment that happens many times at shows like this.
Despite the relentless movement, there was a feeling of unity inside The Glasshouse. Fans picked each other up after falls, strangers celebrated together, and the room felt less like a concert and more like a community coming together for one final night.
