Concert Review: Incubus Thrills With New Album, Classic Hits

MANSFIELD, MA — It was around the third song of Incubus’ set at the Xfinity Center Tuesday night that it became clear what the crowd came to hear.

While the band is touring in support of their eighth album, appropriately titled “8,” their popularity remains in the past, built on their multi-platinum albums “Make Yourself” from 1999 and “Morning View” from 2001. It was evident when the crowd reacted well to opening songs “Quicksand” and “A Kiss to Send Us Off” but once they placed “Stellar,” that’s when the fans began to sing along and really engage in the show.

From there, led by Brandon Boyd’s booming vocals, the group powered through the hits, curiously playing two of their biggest hits “Pardon Me” and “Drive” in the middle of the set. A live staple, the band also added the final verse of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” to the end of their song of the same name.

The bulk of their new songs came in the second half of the set, with three of the last four songs before the encore coming from “8,” including the first live performance of “Make No Sound in the Digital Forest.” While those in attendance were receptive, they were never going to get over like the songs the crowd probably sang in middle school and high school 10-15 years ago.

The therapeutic “Aqueous Transmission” and a bow for the audience ended the show for a band that may now be a nostalgia act for some, but can still produce a quality performance.

Jimmy Eat World provided more nostalgia, playing before Incubus. With a simple set of four mini-street lights and a light board, the band powered through 15 songs for the few that were willing to leave their tailgate early. In the end, the set boiled down to the last three songs: “A Praise Chorus,” “Sweetness,” and “The Middle,” all from the “Bleed American” album. With that being said, lead singer Jim Adkins performance sounded no less weary despite the years that have gone by since their breakthrough 2001 album.

Jonah and the Lion provided additional support with a 30-minute set.

Below are the set lists for Incubus and Jimmy Eat World via Setlist.fm

Incubus

1. Quicksand
2. A Kiss to Send Us Off
3. Stella
4. Nimble Bastard
5. Anna Molly
6. Love Hurts
7. Megalomaniac
8. Here in My Room
9. Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd Outro)
10. State of the Art
11. Pardon Me
12. Drive
13. Love in a Time of Surveillance
14. Pantomime
15. Sick Sad Little World
16. Dig
17. Loneliest
18. Make No Sound in the Digital Forest
19. Throw Out the Map
20. Nice to Know You
21. Encore: Aqueous Transmission

Jimmy Eat World

1. Sure and Certain
2. Bleed American
3. Big Casino
4. I Will Steal You Back
5. Lucky Denver Mint
6. Futures
7. Pass the Baby
8. Pain
9. Work
10. Hear You Me
11. Always Be
12. Get Right
13. A Praise Chorus
14. Sweetness
15. The Middle

Image Credit: Dan Libon