Sublime’s performance at the 2026 iHeartRadio ALTer EGO Fest in Los Angeles was both a celebration and a reckoning — a reminder of the band’s enduring impact and a heartfelt tribute to their legacy. Playing outdoors at the Kia Forum, the band stepped onto the stage with palpable reverence in the air, a crowd of mixed generations ready to honor an act whose music has threaded through Southern California’s cultural fabric for decades. What unfolded was a thoughtful, vibrant set that balanced nostalgia with undeniable musicality, paying homage to Sublime’s spirit while acknowledging the community that still rallies around their sound.
Almost from the first chord, it was clear this set wasn’t just a performance — it was a moment. Packed with signature tracks, surprising turns, and emotional pauses, it resonated as both a party and a remembrance. There was laughter, shouting, sing-along energy, and a profound respect that threaded through every beat.
Here’s the setlist:
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Date Rape (followed by a moment of silence for Bob Weir)
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Scarlet Begonias (Grateful Dead cover, dedicated to Bob Weir)
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April 29, 1992 (Miami) (with a lyric change: “Riots on the streets of Los Angeles.”)
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Wrong Way
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Doin’ Time
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What I Got (with crowd participation)
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Ensenada
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Santeria
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Same in the End
Opening with Humor and Heart: “Date Rape”
Sublime opened with “Date Rape,” a song that has always walked the line between provocation and storytelling. The opening carried that mischievous edge, but something shifted almost immediately: as the track ended, the band paused for a moment of silence in honor of Bob Weir. It wasn’t something anyone expected — but as the crowd fell quiet, the weight of that gesture was unmistakable. This wasn’t a casual performance; it was a communal space for memory, connection, and respect.
The silence was brief but meaningful, a reminder that music binds us not just through sound but through shared loss and collective appreciation.
Unexpected Turns: Grateful Dead Meets Sublime
From that reverent pause, Sublime shifted into “Scarlet Begonias,” the Grateful Dead classic they dedicated to Bob Weir. The choice was bold and fitting: two musical worlds colliding in a tribute that felt sincere rather than performative. The groove took on a laid-back, sun-soaked feel, familiar yet fresh. It was a reminder of how deeply Sublime’s influences run, and how organically they weave them into their own identity.
What might have sounded like an odd pairing on paper became a vibrant musical bridge — Deadheads and Sublime fans shared a grin, a beat, a moment under the California sky.
A Local Anthem Reframed: “April 29, 1992 (Miami)”
With “April 29, 1992 (Miami),” the band brought a seismic shift in tone. This song — already loaded with historical weight — took on a new immediacy when the lyrics were tweaked to reference “riots on the streets of Los Angeles.” The crowd reacted with a mix of cheers, reflection, and understanding. Sublime didn’t just perform the song; they reclaimed it for the city they were standing in, tying the band’s ethos to the ongoing narrative of Los Angeles.
The energy here was tense, electric, and deeply engaged. It wasn’t just nostalgia — it was acknowledgment that the issues underlying the track’s original context still resonate, and that music can still articulate outrage and recognition with raw clarity.
Nick-of-Time Sing-Alongs: “Wrong Way” to “Doin’ Time”
With “Wrong Way,” the festival took on a decidedly rambunctious feel. The crowd went from reflective to rambunctious in seconds, voices rising for every line. The song’s playful yet sharp storytelling began a stretch of pure audience engagement, where the crowd became an extension of the band.
That momentum carried straight into “Doin’ Time,” one of Sublime’s most beloved tracks. The laid-back groove and sunny chords had the audience swaying, rapping along, and suddenly wide-eyed at how effortlessly the song brought everyone together. It was the festival vibe in peak form: communal, fun, and full of good-natured energy.
Full-Body Sing-Along: “What I Got”
By the time “What I Got” rolled around, the crowd was fully embedded in the experience. There was no coaxing needed — thousands of voices rose together, singing every word. There’s something remarkable about a song that can draw genuine mass participation without pretense. Here it was: collective joy, a shared soundtrack for days long gone and nights still to come.
For many, this was the emotional centerpiece of the set. The song’s message of gratitude, resilience, and human connection landed hard, especially at a festival celebrating music’s lineage and its ongoing impact.
Deep Cuts and Devotion: “Ensenada” to “Santeria”
With “Ensenada,” Sublime offered something a bit deeper and less ubiquitous — yet the crowd ate it up. There’s a looseness and groove to this track that gave the performance space to breathe. It felt like a reminder that Sublime’s appeal was never just about hit singles; it was about mood, vibe, and authenticity.
Then came “Santeria,” another fan favorite whose blend of swagger and melancholy has become quintessential Sublime. The band played it with confidence — the familiar guitar lines, the rhythmic bounce, and the lyrics that invite both reflection and chorus participation. By this point, the audience was no longer an onlooker; they were active participants, voices intertwining with the band’s sound.
Closing With Reflection: “Same in the End”
The set concluded with “Same in the End,” a choice that felt purposeful and poetic. It was less of a climactic anthem and more of a thoughtful closing statement. The energy was calmer, contemplative, and sincere — a perfect way to finish a set that had moved between memory, reclamation, joy, and communal engagement.
What remained after the final notes weren’t just echoes of sound, but a sense of connection. Sublime had played for fans of all ages, bridging generational gaps and turning familiar songs into shared experiences.
Final Thoughts
Sublime’s performance at ALTer EGO Fest 2026 was more than a nostalgic trip through 90s reggae-rock fusion. It was a dynamic, emotionally layered set that honored the band’s history while making space for reflection and tribute. From the moment of silence for Bob Weir to the crowd’s impassioned participation in songs like “What I Got,” the show was a testament to how music can tie past to present — not by replaying history, but by living it.
The set wasn’t perfect, but it was real. It had humor, reverence, urgency, camaraderie, and the unmistakable vibe of a band that can still bring people together. In a festival filled with legacy acts and contemporary interpretations, Sublime’s set stood out for its heart, its groove, and its sense of communal belonging.
By the end, the crowd wasn’t just applauding a sequence of songs — they were celebrating a culture, a memory, and a shared moment in time. And that’s the kind of live music experience that stays with you long after the last chord fades.