Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, Jack White and More Kick Off the New Year with Alternative Rock at 2023 iHeartRadio ALTer EGO Concert

Alternative rock was alive and well this past Saturday (January 14) as iHeartRadio kicked off the new year with the 2023 iHeartRadio ALTer EGO Presented by Capital One at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles.

Now in its sixth year, ALT 98.7‘s roster featured the genre’s chart-topping artists from around the world, including Muse, Phoenix, Red Hot Chili Peppers, CHVRCHES, Fall Out Boy, and Jack White, along with rising stars Beach Weather and Rosa Linn who introduced their trendy songs to a sold-out crowd.

Celeb Secrets was lucky enough to not only enjoy the star-studded concert with some of the best in the ‘biz, but also speak to them backstage in between their big performances.

The night kicked off with nostalgia from Fall Out Boy, who singlehandedly took us back to our Y2K emo phase. The iconic group launched the festival with none other than “Sugar, We’re Going Down,” along with hits like “Dance, Dance,” “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs” and “Uma Thurman.” And yes… we sang our little hearts out to each and every one!

Armenian singer/songwriter Rosa Linn was the next act to hit the revolving stage, and she made a lasting impression not only because of her catchy music, but also for using the platform to raise awareness to the ongoing blockade in Artsakh, Armenia.

Donning a denim jacket with the words “Stop the Blockade” on the back, Linn spoke with Celeb Secrets EXCLUSIVELY backstage about why she chose to wear the meaningful item.

“I just want peace,” Rosa shared. “I never thought I’d be the person who gets political onstage, but this is not about politics. This is about humanity. I don’t like to mix politics with music, but when it comes to stuff like this, I have to talk about it. I have a bit of an audience and I want to let people know what’s happening in Armenia.”

French Indie Band Phoenix followed with a short set that still has us talking about it, as lead singer Mars jumped into the crowd and scales a wall onto the second floor of the iconic LA-based venue.

When choosing which songs that wanted to play, the band told Celeb Secrets that concertgoers will enjoy what they have planned as their set “is very short, but it’s like an elixir of essential oils for our fans.”

Sporting some of the snazziest outfits of the entire night, Beach Weather hit the stage by singing some of their hits like “Sex, Drugs, Etc,” and “Swoon” before giving audiences a taste of their newest single “Trouble With This Bed.”

While the energy was high, Muse came out and gave one of the most electrifying performances of the night by playing some of their most iconic hits released through the decades, including “Madness,” and “Starlight,” as well as one from their newest album Will Of The People. Before you ask — yes, they did sing the iconic song from the iconic Twilight film, “Supermassive Black Hole.”

The only female-led band in the festival, CHVRCHES, definitely represented ladies in the best way possible. Lead singer Lauren Mayberry sparkled on stage with a bright green dress and jewels on her face, while dancing along to hits like “Miracle,” “Clearest Blue,” and of course, “The Mother We Share.”

The men are not expected to do that much with the aesthetic,” Mayberry said with a laugh, “but I feel like [dressing up] is fun and part of my way of expressing myself onstage.”

The final two performers were the best treat of the evening, as Jack White and Red Hot Chili Peppers had the at-capacity audience on their feet until the lights came on.

Jack White showed off his killer guitar skills while performing “Steady, as She Goes” before surprising the crowd with a White Stripes Song, “Seven Nation Army.”

From the high of Jack White, fans were ready for the final act — Red Hot Chili Peppers — who heated up the stage to its highest temperature before calling it a night. Showcasing band member John Frusciante‘s return brought high energy to their half hour set before lead singer Anthony Kiedis made his way onstage to sing hits like “Californication,” “Snow,” “The Drummer” and more.

Want more coverage from ALTer EGO? Click through the playlist below for interviews with performers and celeb guests from the red carpet: