Thirty years after Sparkle and Fade catapulted Everclear into alt-rock immortality, Art Alexakis and company brought their anniversary tour to PARX Casino in Bensalem, PA — and delivered a show that felt both nostalgic and freshly alive. What could have been a trip down memory lane turned into something far more electric: a loud, emotional celebration of endurance, melody, and raw honesty.
The night kicked off with Electra Made Me Blind, a fiery opener that set the tone immediately. Alexakis, clad in black jeans and that familiar confident smirk, hit the stage like a man still hungry for connection. The band — guitarist Davey French, bassist Freddy Herrera, and drummer Brian Nolan — wasted no time locking into a tight groove, their chemistry obvious from the first chord.
By the second song, Heroin Girl, the crowd was fully engaged. Alexakis delivered the gritty lyrics with conviction, his voice carrying that familiar rasp — less the sound of age than of authenticity. When Father of Mine rolled out, the audience erupted in a full-throated singalong, a reminder that Everclear’s confessional anthems still hit hard in a world that’s only gotten more complicated since the late ’90s.
Midway through the set, Alexakis teased Santa Monica before steering into Summerland, a slow-burn crowd favorite that swelled into a communal chorus. The band then dove into Strawberry and Heartspark Dollarsign, showcasing Everclear’s ability to balance sharp pop hooks with emotional grit.
One of the night’s surprises came when Scott Lucas from Local H joined the band for a raucous rendition of Houses of the Holy, a muscular nod to Led Zeppelin that drew cheers from fans of both acts. It was one of those moments where generations of rock collided — loud, sweaty, and gloriously imperfect.
The homestretch was classic Who theater. “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and “Baba O’Riley” had The momentum never faltered. The Twistinside and Her Brand New Skin kept the energy surging, while Nehalem and Pale Green Stars offered deeper cuts that longtime fans devoured. By the time the band eased into Wonderful, the room turned reflective — phones lit the crowd, and Alexakis’ voice carried a mix of gratitude and melancholy that silenced even the back of the hall.
PARX Casino’s venue proved a surprisingly ideal space for Everclear’s punchy, guitar-driven sound. French’s solos sliced clean through the mix, Herrera’s bass lines added depth without mud, and Nolan’s drums were relentless but controlled. The lighting — flashing reds and golds — mirrored the band’s mood shifts, from defiant to intimate.
The crowd was multigenerational but united: Gen Xers reliving the soundtrack of their youth stood shoulder to shoulder with twenty-somethings mouthing along to lyrics they probably first heard through their parents’ playlists. When Alexakis joked about being “the old guy still doing this,” the laughter carried affection, not irony.
After a brief break, the band returned to roaring applause and tore into So Much for the Afterglow, the title track that still feels like a manifesto. The harmonies were tight, the guitars buzzed, and the song’s message — resilience through chaos — hit harder than ever.
They closed with Santa Monica, the song everyone knew was coming and still couldn’t wait to hear. When Alexakis hit the opening riff, the place went off like it was 1997 again. It was a cathartic finish — a reminder that for all the years and miles behind them, Everclear still knows how to tap straight into the heart of a crowd.
Everclear’s show at PARX Casino wasn’t just an anniversary stop; it was a reaffirmation of purpose. Three decades on, Alexakis remains a commanding storyteller, his voice weathered but sincere, backed by a band that plays with precision and heart. It’s easy to label a performance like this as nostalgia, but that would sell it short. This was rock and roll the way it’s supposed to be — loud, honest, a little rough around the edges, and completely real.
SETLIST
Electra Made Me Blind
Heroin Girl
Father of Mine
Summerland (preceded by Santa Monica tease)
Strawberry
Heartspark Dollarsign
Everything to Everyone
Houses of the Holy (Led Zeppelin cover) (with Scott Lucas - From the band Local H)
The Twistinside
Her Brand New Skin
Nehalem
Wonderful
Pale Green Stars
Encore:
So Much for the Afterglow
Santa Monica
TOUR DATES
Oct 25 Sat
Washington, DC, United States
Oct 27 Mon
Cleveland, OH, United States
Oct 28 Tue
Cincinnati, OH, United States
Oct 30 Thu
Indianapolis, IN, United States
Oct 31 Fri
Mchenry, IL, United States
Nov 1 Sat
Minneapolis, MN, United States
Nov 2 Sun
Chicago, IL, United States
Nov 8 Sat
Corona, CA, United States
Review and Photography by: Bob Linneman