The Damned | Evvntly Blog.

5/28/2025 - The Observatory - Santa Ana, California.

The Damned – North America 2025 Tour at The Observatory, Santa Ana

There’s something about a certain kind of punk that only the Brits can do, and The Damned showed they still got it. Their North American 2025 tour graced The Observatory in Santa Ana with a night that was gritty, theatrical and utterly alive.

Opening the show was T.V. Smith’s The Adverts (gallery), another iconic name from the early punk scene. Smith didn’t just play a set, he ripped through it. Twisting, kicking, and growling through the mic, he played a ferocious set backed by a band that matched his energy every step of the way. It was raw and loud and felt like it could implode at any second, and that’s how it’s supposed to go.

And then there were The Damned.

Dave Vanian took to the stage like some gothic apparition in a tailored suit, instantly commanding the room. Cool, collected, and endlessly charismatic, he gave the crowd everything without breaking a sweat. I want to be that when I grow up.

They launched into “Love Song” and didn’t look back. Each track hit with force, from “Wait for the Blackout” to “I Just Can’t Be Happy Today.” The crowd was entranced, bobbing heads and raised fists. Vanian's vocals cut through like a knife, and Captain Sensible countered with snarky stage banter and face-melting solos.

Highlights? Plenty.

“The Invisible Man” and “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” leaned into the band’s darker theatrical edge
Covers like “Eloise” and “Alone Again Or” brought surprising, melodic moments
And “Neat Neat Neat” turned the pit into chaos

They ended the main set, came back for more, and just kept going. Rat Scabies’ drum solo in the encore got a massive reaction, leading straight into a raging version of “New Rose.” And when they finally played “White Rabbit”followed by “Smash It Up,” it felt like the final punch in a perfect night.

The Observatory was packed, the crowd rowdy, and the vibes charged. This was not a nostalgia tour. The Damned will remind you why punk never died.