Staff Editor on January 18th, 2020

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Home Sick Festival had the foundations of the Glass House in Pomona shaking from the electronic, industrial, metal, punk and even ethereal sounds of the nine bands that played Friday night. The diverse lineup was curated by Ceremony’s Anthony Anzaldo. For those who may have made the two-hour-plus drive from Los Angeles to Pomona, his band-picking acumen quickly rid the body of the tensions related to L.A. rush-hour traffic.

Joyce Manor headlined the night — their third consecutive evening playing the Glass House. They sent fans immediately into a sing-along for their first song “Beach Community,” off their 2011 debut album. Songs such as “NBTSA” and “Constant Headache” got the packed crowd into rows from one side of the venue to the other that would push towards the stage for one song and then go in parallel motion to the stage on the next. Throughout the raucous set, crowd-surfers popped up. Security behind the barricades would point them out as their bodies made it closer and closer. They’d help the individuals over the barricades and then kindly move them through the photo pit and back out onto the floor. One fan was so enthusiastic that she threw her purse onto the stage. Credit cards and all.

Preceding the headliner was Ceremony. As the crowd waited in the dark for the band to hit the stage, the DJ began playing The Smiths’ “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out.” The Glass House turned into temple to them as the crowd softly and then growing in volume sang the lyrics. Though not the headliners, Ceremony was still treated like royalty by the crowd. Even with those strong loyalties, the band still had to admonish the crowd who didn’t cheer enough when the keytar was brought out. As their set headed towards the end, lead singer Ross Farrar told the crowd, “It’s been a long ride. Coming on 15 years. It is good to be old … seasoned … vintage. I’ve been facing mortality recently. A lot of grey hair.”

Full of Hell’s vocals are like watching a screeching hawk swooping down to consume a poisonous snake. This Maryland/Pennsylvania band that traveled a great distance to play the Glass House told the audience, “The last time we played here, there were two people in the audience.” That wasn’t an issue on this sold-out night. A massive mosh pit formed in the center of the floor, which interestingly turned into a zombie-styled mosh pit for their closing songs.

As for the always-entrancing Drab Majesty, the clock ticked past their set time and yet the band was nowhere to be seen. The sound guy could be heard saying something about 20 minutes. Then, out came the band in dreamy space opera costumes.

Opening the festival were a number of locally-based bands. Automatic played under the red lights during their hypnotizing set. They play in a minimalist style that holds up well. VOWWS had one thinking late ’80s/early ’90s Depeche Mode. Glitterer sent the stage monitors vibrating with backing tracks. Entry mentioned, “This is the best show I’ve ever been to, because we’re on it. (Laughter). I hope none of you get the flu.” And one should never miss the opener, which in this case was Nice. Izzy Glaudini of Automatic was asked about the festival, and she focused in on the band, “It was my first time hearing Nice. What a pleasant surprise! The singer had really good stage presence and was fearless and had an ‘I don’t give a fuck attitude.’”

Photos and recap by Notes From Vivace