Gig Review: Radio Free Alice at El Cid in Los Angeles

Photo Credit: Diya Mehta

Diya Mehta | November 2025

Los Angeles’ El Cid pulsed with energy on 8 October as Radio Free Alice took the stage for a headlining show that felt both intimate and electric. The crowd was buzzing from the start, and by the time the band launched into their second song, “Paris Is Gone,” the front half of the venue had turned into a wave of people jumping to the fast-paced song, which was a perfect reflection of the band’s infectious, high-energy sound.

Formed in Sydney, Australia, Radio Free Alice consists of Noah Learmonth (vocals, guitar), Jules Paradiso (guitar), Michael Phillips (bass, saxophone), and Lochie Dowd (drums), blending indie rock melodies with sharp post-punk edges.

The setlist at LA contained many crowd favourites and even a special unreleased track, featuring a total of twelve songs. They opened the set with “Empty Words,” beginning with the bassist (Michael Phillips) playing the saxophone as their intro, cutting through a haze of pre-show static. This sound was a mix of indie rock charm and nostalgic post-punk grit, immediately setting the tone for the rest of the show. The guitar carried the song throughout with a rhythm to make the whole room vibrate.

“On the Ground,” one of my favourites by the electrifying band, got a strong reaction from the audience with fans singing along to the lyrics. “Rule 31,” an unreleased song, gave the audience a glimpse into the future of the band’s sound, and I think I can speak for all of us when I say, it sounds catchy and looks great. The crowd went wild, dancing from start to finish for “Johnny,” which is one of their most well-known tracks. Anyone in the room could tell how much of a fan favourite this track was simply from the energy during it.

Photo Credit: Diya Mehta

The band closed their set with “Waste of Space,” and even after leaving the stage, the audience wasn’t ready to let them go. A loud, collective chant for an encore filled the venue, showing just how much people connected with their performance. This went on for a hot minute, with echoes from different parts of the room yelling out for more music to be played. 

It was exciting to watch them own the stage as headliners, having first seen Radio Free Alice open for Inhaler in Charleston, South Carolina, last month. Their confidence on stage and chemistry can clearly be seen as they perform with a full force of energy. 

If you love alternative and indie rock with punchy guitars, infectious melodies, and undeniable stage presence, Radio Free Alice is a band you need to see live. Their sound deserves far more recognition, and based on the energy of this LA crowd, it’s only a matter of time before they’re playing to even bigger audiences.