Legendary band Sublime paid tribute to their history with a pair of sold-out shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre leading into 420 weekend. They’re celebrating the recent 30th anniversary of their blockbuster self-titled album, which launched the band to international fame. They played it from start to finish on night one. Night two featured the group’s greatest hits, including one more recent track.
Both nights spotlighted opening artists who represent some aspect of the Sublime family. Each night also had weather and scheduling-related challenges to keep attendees on their toes! An unexpected snowstorm brought heavy precipitation during the day and freezing temperatures the first night. Thankfully, the sky cleared before showtime, and the bands brought the heat to the stage. Singer Jakob Nowell joked that he thought his fingers might fall off as he played guitar on a couple of songs.
His hands held up against the cold, and so did the crowd’s spirit. Night two got off to a slow start, but with just three performers, there was still plenty of time to jam. I heard several repeats from the first night’s set list, a testament to the popularity of that epic self-titled album. Based on the volume of the audience singing along, they didn’t mind!
Honoring 30 Years of Joy and Pain
Sublime rose to popularity in 1996, featuring Bradley Nowell as their lead singer. Bradley died tragically just a couple of months before the release of the record, and would never witness its wild success. Bradley’s son Jakob was just a year old at the time.
The band’s remaining members, drummer Bud Gaugh and bassist/keyboardist Eric Wilson, endured various phases over the past 30 years. The latest collaboration, dubbed Sublime with Rome, featured longtime fan of the group Rome Ramirez as its guitarist and frontman. Never quite recapturing the magic of that record and the early years with Bradley, they were on the verge of disbanding entirely.
Meanwhile, Bradley’s son had been following a parallel path to his father and had formed his own band. Jakob’s Castle is still releasing new music and touring, but they now have competition for stage and recording time. Jakob is now reprising Bradley’s role as Sublime’s frontman, and he’s using the platform to honor the music his father made.
Sublime’s Smokin’ Sun vs Snow Rocks
After the frigid Friday night, fans who’d come from all over were treated to a sunny spring Saturday in Morrison. Reggae friend and fam groups gathered and basked in the beautiful sunshine. It was perfect for tailgating, a Red Rocks ritual. The doors and start times were bumped back, but everyone seemed in good spirits as they filed in and prepared for the night of music. Drinks flowed, jays were ablaze, and the pesky “No smoking in the seating areas” screen messages were conspicuously absent.
Saturday’s good vibes kicked off with high energy, as Codefendants rocked first. Their sound blends punk and thrash noise and funky hip-hop beats and lyrics with reggae’s smooth rhythms. By the time Pepper hit the stage, the crowd was pumped! The Hawaiian group tore through their hits, mixing in snippets of classic covers. Their goofy, fun style was punctuated by comments that, as a totally live band, they can do whatever they want onstage.
Sublime’s headlining set paid homage to the band’s roots. They mixed in tracks from the self-titled record, 40 Oz. of Freedom, and Robbin’ The Hood. There was also a portion of each night’s performance that featured Jakob playing guitar and singing solo. He shouted out the Long Beach scene and credited the music that influenced him.
Honoring the Past, Eyeing the Future
In what was certainly a highlight of my night, and I’m sure that of many fans, Jakob climbed atop one of the Red Rock formations adjacent to the stage. He’d played a couple of acoustic songs from the same spot in 2025 during their headlining debut at the venue. Perhaps he got the notion when the group was the “secret” special guest for Stick Figure there in 2024.
Following Scott’s lead, Sublime brings giant inflatable dogs on tour, arranging them on either side of the stage. Something about a 25-foot-tall Lou Dog effigy sets the perfect mood! Real-life doggo Melvin joined them at the end of the show. He’s become a regular part of the tour fam. The Rottweiler playfully chased a tennis ball throughout their closing cut, “Santeria.”
In addition to the fan faves from the ’90s, each night included a newer hit. Written by the re-formed lineup, “Ensenada” won “Alternative Song of the Year” at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Sublime will return to Colorado later this year to bring us more new music. If you missed Red Rocks, you can find them at Fiddler’s Green in Denver and Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs.
I can’t wait to hear the newest single, “Until The Sun Explodes,” live and in person. Jakob teased the song’s title, but they stuck to the classics. I waited 30 years to hear the hits, so I guess a few months ain’t that bad!
