Photo | Young the Giant, Cold War Kids and Almost Monday Take Over Allianz

by | Jun 1, 2026 | PHOTOGRAPHY, ROCK & INDIE

Richmond got a triple shot of modern alternative rock over the weekend as Young the Giant rolled into Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront with Cold War Kids and Almost Monday in tow, turning the banks of the James into a singalong soundtrack for the unofficial start of summer.

Under clear skies and warm evening air, fans streamed into the amphitheater for a lineup that traced the evolution of alternative radio across the last decade and a half. San Diego’s Almost Monday kicked things off with breezy, sun-soaked indie pop, while Cold War Kids followed with the sharp-edged, piano-driven anthems that helped soundtrack countless late-2000s playlists.

By the time Young the Giant took the stage, the crowd had filled up the riverfront venue. The California band delivered a set that balanced newer material with the soaring favorites that made them festival mainstays, wrapping the amphitheater in waves of light, towering visuals, and arena-sized choruses.

Photos by Joey Wharton

Young the Giant

Cold War Kids

Almost Monday


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