Refused whips through The Observatory Santa Ana revealing new songs and classics

As part of their highly anticipated run of small club tour dates, Refused pummeled the Observatory in Santa Ana this past Monday, along with supporting acts White Lung and Turbo Negro. It was truly a perfect lineup of punk music.

The influential Swedish hardcore punks made their triumphant return loud and clear. Touring in celebration of their first album in 17 years Freedom, Refused played a raucous 15-song set full of their classic punk numbers such as “The Shape of Punk to Come” and “New Noise.” The band also played some cuts from their new album. Opening with the ferocious new song “Elektra,” fans knew they were in for a whirlwind performance. Refused also played their new song “Françafrique,” which was just premiered yesterday to the world.

Working the stage like a wild tornado, front-man Dennis Lyxzen was a fireball of untamed energy. Constantly in motion, the man was either dancing or jumping into the crowd, he never stopped moving. His stage presence alone is enough to get fans worked into a punk frenzy. Refused didn’t play too many new songs, mostly just songs from classic catalog, which most definitely excited fans. Naturally, all the old songs inspired an intense night of mosh pits and crowd surfing, but during the encore when they played “New Noise” and “Worms of the Senses / Faculties of the Skull,” everyone in the crowd went absolutely insane.

Refused is NOT fucking dead. Be sure to pick up their new album on June 30 when it drops via Epitaph.

Refused at Observatory Setlist:
Elektra
The Shape of Punk to Come
The Refused Party Program
Rather Be Dead
Summerholidays vs. Punkroutine
Françafrique
The Deadly Rhythm
Dawkins Christ
Coup d’état
Hook, Line and Sinker
Refused Are Fucking Dead
Liberation Frequency
Tannhäuser / Derivè

Encore:
New Noise
Worms of the Senses / Faculties of the Skull

Photography: Monique Hernandez

REFUSED