Electric energy is present in the venue.
Two mosh pits happen simultaneously as loud vibrations from drums and bass play as a 9-foot jester walks on stage.
The Garden, an Orange County punk rock band, consists of twin brothers Wyatt and Fletcher Shears.
Wyatt, who plays bass, and Fletcher, who’s on the drums, both remain as vocalists for the duo’s songs.
The band performed a sold-out show at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium on their Otherworldly Expedition tour on March 28.
The band played a variety of music, playing songs from their latest EP, “Six Desperate Ballads.”
Songs that were performed from the EP were “Man of the People” and “Ballet.” Yet original classics made it to the setlist like “Clay” and “Thy Mission.”
Allyssa Anaya, a Riverside City College student, attended the show excited to have the opportunity to see one of her favorite bands perform live in the Inland Empire.
“I think it’s cool they’re giving the I.E representation ’cause not most bands come here,” Anaya said. “Not everyone could go to Los Angeles or Orange County, but it’s nice to be local.”
Newer and unreleased songs were played as well, such as their new single “Ugly” and unreleased songs “Five Mile Ponytail” and “Pin Drop.”
In a previous interview with Eric Blair, Fletcher revealed that one of the first shows the duo attended was in Riverside, creating a full-circle moment for the band.
Jester face paint is also a huge part of the band’s community, creating an emotional bond with the duo and fans.
“Even though we don’t know them (other fans), complete strangers, we can point each other out,” said attendee Sariah Thompson while wearing jester face paint.
Steve Shears, father of Wyatt and Fletcher, felt glad to be in Riverside as he’s been in the area many times.
“Any chance I can get to see my two boys play, I hit it as much as I can cause I’m getting older and I want to take advantage of every situation,” Steve said.
Music runs in the family, with both the father and the duo having a band named Penalty Kill, including brother Owen Shears.
Alongside the Garden, each brother of the duo has their own musical project of their own. Fletcher soloist of the band Puzzle, and Wyatt soloist of the band Enjoy. Both solo projects have millions of streams on music platforms.
