After years of these annual KROQ concerts being in no way �unplugged� events, few artists take the �acoustic� rule seriously anymore. This year�s openers Alien Ant Farm however welcome the shivering crowd with a set of stripped down tunes that might even be too mellow. They finished the set off in a rousing fashion though, switching to electric just in time for �Movies� and �Smooth Criminal�

After Alien Ant Farm�s display of technical ability, Puddle of Mudd crashed through the PA like no frills rough and feeling hard rock band they are. Refreshingly raw hits like blurry and control win over the crowd with ease why Wes Scantlin�s vioce is so reminiscent of Kurt Cobain�s howl at times it that it�s scary.

If you want straightforward pop � punk with a few Maiden licks thrown in for good measure, then the Canadian punks Sum 41 are the band to see. Always good for a few laughs and a recycled NWOBHM riff, there is even and drum solo for gumbies in the house.

POD are the loudest acts yet � they even blowed the amphitheatre�s fuse box with their Godly power. Fortunately it happened just as the audience is about to join in the chorus of �Youth of the Nation� and even though the band can�t play, the song continues. Easily the crowd favourite, POD perform furious hardcore (�Without Jah�, Nothin�) and anthemic metal (Alive), leaving triumphant.

Reunited with founder member read in Brett Gurewitz, the six-man strong lineup of Bad Religion soas thanks to the well rested voice of singer Greg Griffin. New songs (�Can�t Stop It�, �Sorrow�) from their upcoming coming album are mixed in with old favourites (�21st-century (digital boy)�, �Infected�) to amazing effect.

System of a Down are the hotly awaited local favourites and the quartet raise the evening�s standard with a 45 minute set that bristles with energy, despite guitarist Daron Malakain�s constant audience baiting. �Prison Song�, �War�, and �Jet Pilot�) are merely the first three of a thrilling set that finds Daron solo-ing madly and Serj-Tankian admitting, �This probably sounds very hypocritical under the circumstances but stop supporting commercial radio stations!� (KROQ is most definitely a branch of corporate rock). �Mass media is ass media!� he continues. Brilliant.

After S0AD�s energy Staind are like a bucket of water poured over the fire. Drowsy and Somnolent, to say that Massachusetts megastars a model of consistency is an understatement: all of their songs have the same lifeless air, while singer Aaron Lewis moans his pain away between puffs of smoke. Snails moved faster than the set.

Blink 182 are a joke that�s simply not funny any more. No, wait, it wasn�t ever funny. Making smirking asides about Santa and his penis, Mark Tom and Travis play like they just woke up an hour ago, and phone in a decent � if barely involving � performance.

Linkin Park close the proceedings both nights with the set taken straight from their recent �Family Values� appearance. It is a good one though � Chester Bennington leaps over everything is sight, Mike Shinoda works the crowd and hits like �Papercut� still sound vibrant a year on. After a triumphant 2001, these are Linkin�s last shows of the year. Congratulations lads!

Day two

The next night Linkin Park and Staind are joined by Bush Foo Fighters, No Doubt, 311 and Nickelback � the last of whom are enjoying the tremendous success in the States by simply acting like the Canadian bar band they are. Its boggles the mind how bland yet popular some bands are.

No Doubt are the best band of the night, no question about it. A last-minute addition to the bill they promote latest release, �Rock Steady� in fine style, and their bopping blend of New Wave, Rock and Ska sets the standard for fun this evening. Gwen Stefani�s smile alone could power a small Third World country for a year.

The food fighters look like they could have used a little more time rehearsing, but Dave Grohl�s heartfelt solo performance of �Everlong�, and new song �The One� are fun highlights. It also good to see the reappearance of Taylor Hawkins, fresh from his little �misadventure� of a few months ago. 311�s sunny blend of ripe and reggae always sounds better on a festival bill and they make their appearance count. Must have something to do with their 40 minute time limit, eh?

Unfortunately Bush came across others rather dull on their return to the Golden State and not even Rossdales invocation of the spirit of George Harrison can aid them in their quest of to be even remotely exciting. Most of their new album rocks very little, and even �Machinehead� and �Little Things� don�t convince. Jet lag, maybe?

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