As an avid KROQ listener since my angsty pre-teen years, I still get giddy at the thought of attending their annual Weenie Roast festival. The only difference now is that I don’t play hooky to call the station every hour in hopes of winning tickets, and I no longer rock a hideous hairdo of red and black streaks. This year was bound to be special, as it marked the end of an era: the festival's 23-year run at Irvine Meadows Ampitheatre.

My day began with hearing Bishop Briggs' booming voice and fans screaming along to Island's fresh signee's soulful single, “River,” which just debuted in the Top 20 of the Alternative chart. Bishop later celebrated her success with Alternative’s leading ladies, KROQ Music Director Lisa Worden and HITS President Karen Glauber (pictured right).

RCA’s Nothing But Thieves were the first to bring the rock. They treated the audience to a killer cover of iconic Pixies track “Where Is My Mind?,” and much to KROQ’s delight, no fights broke out among the fist-pumping OC bros. (If you don’t get this joke, put this article aside and watch Fight Club NOW.) Tune in to Conan on 5/24 for a live performance of their upcoming single, "Wake Up Call,"—added early by KROQ.

Glassnote’s The Strumbellas, brought the crowd to their feet with their alternative/folk/pop set. They invited scantily-clad pirates to twirl alongside them as they performed their earworm, “Spirits,” which is now sitting at #1 on the Alt radio chart.

And as if the sun wasn’t beating down hard enough, Lukas Graham got the crowd even more hot and bothered by performing shirtless. Afterwards, Lukas joined me for a private singalong of smash hit “7 Years,” but the video was deemed too dorky to be published by HITS Editor In Chief Lenny Beer, so you only get to see this shot of us (left).

Miike Snow turned on the cool after Graham’s sweaty set. The Swedish trio of super-producers got me dancing shamelessly to “Ghenghis Khan” and if you think white girls can’t dance, just wait till you see a Jewish girl trying; it’s embarrassing at best. They were later seen rocking out to fellow Monotone clients, Cold War Kids, who had vocals so perfect I was convinced they were backing tracks. Nathan Willett later confirmed that the vox were au naturale and was kind enough to take a selfie with me (right).

Just as the sun began to set, The Lumineers (pictured below and to the left) stayed true to their name and brought a ray of sunshine with a set full of feel-good tunes. Dualtone’s inspired the crowd to sing and bounce along to folky hits “Ho Hey,” “Stubborn Love” and current chart-topper “Ophelia."

By the time Panic! At the Disco took the stage, the stands were packed, the promo guys were drunk and people were ready to party. They'll be returning to the ampitheatre August with fellow members of the Crush Music mishpucha, Weezer, who
closed out this year's Weenie Roast. Weezer transformed the event into a singalong and left me without a voice. Thanks...

As the surprise guests, blink-182 helped alleviate the sting, after Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea and Chad Smith announced they wouldn't perform due to the hospitalization of Anthony Kiedis. The beloved band, led by Mark Hoppus, brought life back into the disheartened audience with career-spanning gems, and gave us the musical equivalent of blue balls when premiering 30 seconds of a new song. Fortunately, I found relief by downloading the track now available on their website. And with that, I bid you adieu.

L'Chaim,
Naomi Robin