LIVE: ALKALINE TRIO – Jacksonville, FL, USA – August 30, 2025

Venue: FIVE Jacksonville

City: Jacksonville, FL

Date: August 30, 2025

Review and Photographs by: Jason Beutel

Saturday night in Jacksonville belonged to Alkaline Trio, who proved once again why they remain one of punk’s most enduring and beloved bands. Playing to a sold-out crowd of more than 1,200, the trio brought the kind of energy that filled every corner of the room—and never let up. The line stretched around the block before doors opened at 7, and even halfway through their set at 9:30, fans were still filing in to join the chaos. The venue itself deserves a nod. Five Jacksonville is one of the city’s newest spots for live music, set inside the historic building that once housed Sun-Ray Cinema, a longtime Five Points staple. While some were initially sad to see Sun-Ray go, it feels like the neighborhood has embraced Five with open arms. On a night like this, with every inch of space filled and every voice raised, it was easy to see the venue stepping into its own as a new cultural hub.

From the jump, the band had the room in the palm of their hand. They opened with “Private Eye,” and from that moment the energy never dipped. The setlist leaned into all sides of their catalog—balancing early staples, mid-career anthems, and fresh tracks that show they’re still evolving after nearly three decades together. As a photographer, I’ll admit: shooting this show was tough. The stage was drenched in fog, lit with strobes, and cloaked in shadows that seemed to shift with every click of the shutter. But what was a challenge behind the lens was an absolute gift for the fans. The haze and light created a cinematic backdrop that made every riff, every chorus, and every beat feel even bigger. Highlights were everywhere: “Calling All Skeletons” had the crowd screaming every word; “Mercy Me” was a soaring mid-set moment led by Dan Andriano’s vocals; and older cuts like “Cringe” and “Maybe I’ll Catch Fire” hit the nostalgic sweet spot for longtime fans. The main set peaked with “This Could Be Love,” a furious anthem that had the floor moving in unison, before the encore delivered exactly what everyone was waiting for—“Radio.” Hearing over a thousand voices belt out its iconic chorus through the fog and flashing lights was the kind of moment that makes live music unforgettable. This was one of those rare shows that started strong and never lost steam. Alkaline Trio came in firing and left Jacksonville buzzing, ears ringing, and hearts full. Between the relentless energy of the band, the passion of the fans, and the atmosphere that Five brought to the night, it felt like the perfect storm. As someone lucky enough to photograph and experience it up close, I can say this: the fog may have made it hard to see at times, but the energy in that room was impossible to miss.

Setlist: Private Eye – Calling All Skeletons – I Wanna Be a Warhol – Is This Thing Cursed? – Bad Time – Versions of You – Oblivion – Mercy Me – In Vein – We’ve Had Enough – Maybe I’ll Catch Fire – Sadie – Cringe – Tuck Me In – Blue Carolina – All on Black – Time to Waste – This Could Be Love – Radio

[Show as slideshow]

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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries