THE DRIVER ERA DEFINES OBSESSION IN SAN DIEGO
GALLAGHER SQUARE AT PETCO PARK — SAN DIEGO, CA
The Driver Era’s OBSESSION TOUR made its way to San Diego’s Gallagher Square at the iconic Petco Park on July 16th. Immediately upon approaching the venue, hundreds of fans could be seen buzzing around, wearing everything from nostalgic R5 shirts to pink cowboy hats and feather boas. With the sun beginning to set, the venue was picturesque—a large crowd had already gathered in front of the stage and the scattered groups of fans that could be seen lying out on the grass of Gallagher Square, for what I believe must be one of the most fun ways to experience a show, all eagerly waiting for the show to begin.
Before long, and following an incredible performance from opener VALÉ, the sun had gone down and a large white kabuki curtain had been erected on the stage, hiding the main event until it was time for their theatrical reveal. Spotlights projected the silhouettes of the band, pulsing in time with the beat of “Touch” from their latest album, Obsession. The tense track was followed by the dramatic dropping of the curtain, revealing the band, fronted by brothers Ross and Rocky Lynch, as they launched into “You Keep Me Up At Night.” Somewhat maintaining the family affair that was their 2010s pop band R5—which featured four Lynch siblings—their brother Riker Lynch was still in the mix, playing bass in the rhythm section.
The setlist was one with momentum and range, showcasing the essence of their latest album with tracks like “The Weekend” and “Can’t Believe She Got Away,” but stealing all of my love with “I’d Rather Die”—which was especially fun to see and hear live. Ross Lynch also changed many lives (mine included) with his throwback performance of “On My Own”, which he originally performed in the only sequel we can all agree on: Teen Beach Movie 2.
After one of the greatest and most lively shows I’ve attended in a long time—and I’m not just saying that because it took place outside where there was no need for air conditioning—the band exited briefly before returning for their encore. Though we were all sad to see them go, the band wrapped up the night with a song I’ll forever love: “A Kiss” from their 2021 album, Girlfriend, and The Driver Era’s biggest hit. I was reminded just how beloved it was as I watched the crowd jump and scream along to the infectious track. Ross Lynch, who started the song wearing a black, feather-lined cowboy hat that read “Ross Lynch’s property,” embraced the adoration, dancing around and strutting across the stage. The screen behind the band was lit up with a kiss cam, at one point showing a couple passionately locking lips as Lynch teased, “That's not a little kiss… That was a big kiss.”
It pains me to say that this show was one of the last on the OBSESSION TOUR, which has since come to a close. But the good news is that the endless amount of hours you can spend listening to (and obsessing over) Obsession, are still yours for the taking. Until the next time I’m lucky enough to catch one of their shows, I know where I’ll be.
