Michelle Shiers on August 3rd, 2015

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Actually seeing AWOLNATION on Saturday night at the Hollywood Palladium was hard. But experiencing them was more than enough for a concert hall full of fervent fans who roared at the backlit stage and cheered the smoky silhouettes and strobe-strafed outlines of vocalist-songwriter Aaron Bruno and Co.

Currently touring behind their sophomore album “Run,” released in March, AWOLNATION opened their set with the album’s title track, with Bruno energetically pacing the stage and commanding attention.

||| Photos by Michelle Shiers

Backed by four musicians, including guitarist Zach Irons of opening band Irontom, Bruno pushed AWOLNATION through a 15-song set of fan favorites, mainly from their gold debut album “Megalithic Symphony.” Fans thrashed and threw arms to favorites “Jump On My Shoulders,” “Not Your Fault” and “Soul Wars.” The band’s knack for genre-blending, with their amalgam of orchestral pop, aggressive rock and crashing synths, comes across much more polished on the recordings than during their bombastic live show. Bruno told the fans, “If someone decides to crowd-surf, don’t ever let them hit the ground,” which was followed by “Knights Of Shame.” Fans gladly adhered to the lyrics’ imperative: “Dance baby dance like the world is ending.”

One of the most well-received new tracks was “KOOKSEVERYWHERE!!!,” which prompted more arms and shoes to go flying. Piano-pop ballad “All I Need” and newer track “Windows” calmed the audience as Bruno’s gritty high-ended vocals turned to a loving croon. They closed their main set with “Burn It Down” and then returned for a three-song encore featuring powerful sing-alongs “I Am,” “Dreamers” and the big closer, “Sail.” The otherwise booming night was closed with blinding strobes, the drop of sparkling confetti over the crowd, and Bruno gruffly chanting the phrase “We are all AWOLNATION!”

Supporting AWOLNATION was female rapper/producer K.Flay. Her darkly-lit set was overpowered by heavy bass that buzzed the audience’s chests, and her rebellious no-fucks-given demeanor certainly added to her autobiographical wordplay.  Backed by a drummer and bassist, K.Flay (aka Kristine Flaherty) paced the stage and showed off her edgy voice and eloquent rhymes.

Also supporting was flamboyant L.A. quintet Irontom, whose heavy rhythms and spastic dance moves managed to gain much of the audiences undivided attention. Irons (son of drummer Jack Irons of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam) jumped and spun around stage as if nobody has ever enjoyed playing their instrument quite as much. Frontman Harry Hayes’ eccentric gestures and the band’s youthfully brash performance were just enough to impress the hefty audience, many of whom ended up gladly in Irontom’s unique thrall.