Inner Wave is heading to The Ford on Sunday, September 22nd, to give fans a special 10th-anniversary celebration of their heady second album, Sun Transmission. Just last year, they welcomed the same milestone for their debut III—treating fans to a rare playthrough in its entirety—and now they’re giving its follow-up the same nostalgic treatment. Tickets for the concert start at $35, but you can also win a pair in our upcoming giveaway. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to find out when the giveaway drops.

Words: Steven Ward

Tune in for a live exploration of Sun Transmission

The Ford is just one of the handful of stops that Inner Wave is making in California on their 10th-anniversary tour for Sun Transmission. While some fans on Instagram pined for a smaller, standing-room-only venue, anyone who’s been there knows that despite its spacious layout, it’s quite an intimate amphitheater. One that Inner Wave will have no difficulty casting their synth-rock spells on, funneling the electronic crackle and hypnotic bass of songs like “Womack” through the crowd and immersing them in the spiraling but revelatory wormhole melodies of “Wild.” You already know they will pair their thrilling funk with a sci-fi-esque light show that’ll only enhance the mind-bending euphoria of those soundscapes. If you missed out on the III anniversary, this is another you won’t want to overlook.

Experience a psych-rock phantasmagoria

Clocking at a brisk 34 minutes, Sun Transmission will likely only comprise part of Inner Wave’s setlist. As a result, fans should expect them to roll out favorites and deep cuts from across their discography, like “American Spirits” or the languid “People Free.” That’ll probably also include songs off their last LP Apoptosis, for which they just unveiled a batch of remixes for just this year. Covers were also promised via their post on Instagram—and with influences that include everyone from The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys to Gorillaz and Tame Impala—the possibilities are endlessly sublime. Whatever they decide to roll out after the playthrough of their second album, I’ve little doubt it’ll leave the audience entranced and ready to dance.

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The chance to hear some new music

In announcing the anniversary tour, the band also mentioned they’re in “album-mode” and wanted to give back to fans patiently waiting for new music with another celebratory concert. Now, of course, the show will revolve around Sun Transmission, but they’ve also hinted at playing some “unreleased jams.” Maybe that’s just B-sides or tracks that never got recorded—which would be enough of a treat in of itself—though it’s just as possible they might give fans a preview of a forthcoming project or singles. What better place to tease the arrival of new music than a show honoring the longevity of their second record?

A hometown show by the Latinx quintet

Formed in Gardena by friends Pablo Sotelo, Jean Pierre Narvaez, and Elijah Trujillo—eventually adding Luis Portillo and Jose Cruz not long after—the music of Inner Wave reflects the sounds its members grew up with from psychedelic and garage-rock to Latin, jazz, and soul. After their breakthrough with Underwater Pipe Dreams, their music started to broach the international stage with tours in support of Interpol, as well as live recordings of shows at legendary L.A. venues like The Roxy and the Fonda Theatre. All this to say that Inner Wave finds itself at a high point, seasoned, and ready to give fans a hometown celebration worthy of the momentum they’ve catalyzed with every new project.

One band, one set—vibe without a wait

What’s better than showing up early and discovering a new favorite band in the form of the opener? No opening act, no wait, just the headliner. Obviously, if there is an opener, I’d always recommend getting there early, not just because you’re robbing yourself of some new music, but because it’s important to show up and support these artists. But if you’re an older millennial, then you appreciate the chance not to have to wait to see the band you’re there to see—even if there is seating—since it also means you’ll be able to get home before it gets too late.

Luckily, since it’s just Inner Wave performing, and the show starts at 7:30pm sharp, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to have your cake and eat it too—that is to say, you’ll actually feel energized enough to stay through the encore, and when you’re finally home, you won’t feel like a zombie on its last legs.

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Check out the many wonderful performances happening during The Ford’s 2024 season like Inner Wave presents Sun Transmission 10th Anniversary. Some of our favorites include Devendra Banhart, Shawn Mendes Performing ‘Shawn’ the Album Live, WILLOW with Orchestra, and more.