On May 1st, 2025, El Cid was packed to the brim with people—a clear display of a sold-out night. And if you’re wondering who the legendary performers were that made this possible, it was the iconic headliner Guardin, with support from the equally talented artists Kennedyxoxo and Sewerperson. This marked the second night of Guardin’s When The Flowers Bloom tour, and each artist brought their own unique energy to the night.

Kennedyxoxo kicked things off and had the crowd jumping off the walls right away. He has an incredible ability to get people dancing, even to the saddest songs. His setlist included tracks like “Postcard,” “Soulja Girl,” “Law of Attraction,” “Robots,” “Bull In A China Shop,” and the unreleased “Eggshells & Minefields.” The energy was electric, whether you were at the front or all the way in the back. Kennedy also knew how to engage with his audience. Hearing “Robots” was a surprise—but a very welcome one.

“Bull In A China Shop” is one of those songs that, if you relate to it, feels like getting a hug and knowing you’re not alone in what you’re going through. I often play it on repeat, so I was especially excited to hear it live. It was a set worth getting myself stuck in a corner by the stage for, and it was refreshing to see Kennedy having so much fun. Hearing “Eggshells & Minefields” for the first time, you could already tell that once it’s released, it’s going to be stuck on repeat for a lot of listeners. The lyrics are still glued to my brain—I wasn’t ready for the set to end.

Next up, Sewerperson kept the momentum going but brought a different style to his performance. His setlist featured songs like “Pull Out Couch,” “Cpt Morgn,” “It’s Quiet, Too Quiet,” “Christmas Party,” “Comatose,” and “ur the one I dream bout.” No matter how fast he rapped, the audience was right there with him, singing along word for word. The crowd clearly knew and loved his music.

There was even a wholesome moment where he responded to a fan from the stage, smiling throughout much of the set. Sewerperson wasn’t afraid to get close to the crowd, radiating confidence while moving at lightning speed across the stage. Some songs were from his days as 9TAILS, and though his style has evolved over the years, both his older and newer tracks are undeniable bangers. “Christmas Party,” one of his 9TAILS songs, was a clear crowd favorite, with waves of hands in the air. If you’re a fan of slam poetry, you’d probably enjoy Sewerperson’s music, too. He definitely left a memorable impression that had the audience wanting more.

Then, in the blink of an eye, our iconic headliner Guardin took the stage, bursting with energy. His setlist included “I Want It,” “solitary,” “lost it,” “Dim Dark Depleting,” “In My Sleep,” “I Wonder,” “hold,” “harder,” “geronimo,” “pink lemonade,” “round two,” and “charming.” His music reminds me a bit of The Front Bottoms, but with an electronic twist. There’s a sad, nostalgic feel to his songs—music for those who feel lost or are still trying to find themselves.

The flashing lights matched the music’s intensity, while the blue hues mirrored the melancholy in his lyrics. His songs feel poetic, yet they still had everyone jumping. The crowd sang along passionately, and there were moments when the audience’s voices overpowered the stage. Guardin had an upbeat yet somehow mysterious energy, sometimes darting across the stage like an airplane, other times squatting or even lying down. His movements added so much to the performance.

It was also wholesome to hear him remind the crowd to stay hydrated and to see him interacting and pointing out fans. Not a single person was standing still. “Geronimo” lives rent-free in my mind; it’s one of those songs that anyone missing the past—or even just their friends—can connect with deeply. The passion Guardin puts into his music leaves you wanting more.

Guardin, Sewerperson, and Kennedyxoxo are all incredibly talented artists worth seeing live. To catch them all in the same show was a special experience—and they’re definitely names to keep on your radar. I’m excited to see what they do next.