Third Eye Blind and Neon Trees Bring A Nostalgic Tear to Our Eyes

By Chel Evah

July 26, 2025 - Last night I had the honor of photographing NEON TREES and THIRD EYE BLIND at the Venue at Thunder Valley in Lincoln, California. 

The Venue was filled with young and old alike, all ready to party like it was 2004. NEON TREES took the stage before the eager fans. The band whose name was inspired by the phosphorescent trees on the In-N-Out Burger sign, started with songs such as Bad Dreams. Lead vocalist TYLER GLENN tried his best to rally the crowd and get them on their feet. 

And the crowd complied, especially when the band played Everybody Talks. The crowd shouted "Hey baby, won't you look my way? I can be your new addiction!" and started jumping to the beat. Believe it or not, folks, that song is retro - it came out in 2011, but still as popular now as it was then.  NEON TREES delivered a solid set of songs that make you say, "I remember that one!"  and by the end of the set people were warmed up and ready for THIRD EYE BLIND.

Dressed in all white, STEPHAN JENKINS took to the stage like the consummate professional he is. Formed in 1993, the San Francisco rock band is a huge part of why the post-grunge, alt rock music scene was (and still is) so popular. JENKINS interacted with the audience, sharing anecdotes between songs, and encouraging sing-alongs making the night all that more memorable. This was a solid and satisfying show for lovers of 90s alt-rock. Neon Trees energized the crowd, and Third Eye Blind delivered a nostalgic yet fresh set blending past hits with their newer material. The Venue at Thunder Valley provided an ideal backdrop—with quality production, comfortable seating, and professional organization.

If you’re into melodic, catchy, guitar-driven rock mixed in with a bit of edgy introspection, this show is one for the books! For a list of Third Eye Blind’s upcoming shows, go HERE.