311’s Nick Hexum -Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar

Headlining the Unity Tour 2025 at Raleigh’s Red Hat Amphitheater on June 25, 2025, is Omaha’s own 311, celebrating the 30th anniversary of their self-titled “Blue Album” and promoting their latest record Full Bloom, released October 25, 2024 through SKP. The current lineup features Nick Hexum (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), SA Martinez (vocals, turntables), Chad Sexton (drums, percussion), P‑Nut (bass), and Tim Mahoney (lead guitar). Their set, running about 1½ hours, traced their full discography—from early staples like Down, All Mixed Up and Beautiful Disaster, through Transistor, Soundsystem, From Chaos, to new tracks like Need Somebody and You’re Gonna Get It. Their energy was precisely dialed in; Sexton’s drumming maintained strong rhythm, P‑Nut’s bass provoked cheers, and Nick’s vocals held steady throughout. Stage visuals by a top touring production firm featured synchronized vibrant color washes and dynamic stagescapes, while front-of-house engineer Brian Speiser delivered a clear, full-spectrum mix. Signed to BMG, their 14‑album discography includes Music, Grassroots, Mosaic, and Voyager. Merchandise offerings included Full Bloom vinyl, anniversary tees, and custom posters. The band, known for supporting environmental cleanup via 4Ocean, has earned multiple gold and platinum certifications. The crowd of ecstatic fans sang, jumped, and chanted throughout. Their official website is 311.com.

311

Taking the stage at 7:30 PM, Los Angeles–based Badflower delivered a 45‑minute high-intensity set. The lineup features Josh Katz (vocals, guitar), Joey Morrow (guitar), Alex Espiritu (bass), and Anthony Sonetti (drums). Under Big Machine Records, they performed songs from their two albums, OK, I’m Sick and This Is How the World Ends. Highlights like Ghost and Heroin elicited strong emotional responses—sing‑alongs, cheers, and visible excitement. Their minimalist yet moody visuals, overseen by the same lighting crew as 311, reinforced their raw tone. Merch included hoodies, signed vinyl, and tees. Active supporters of mental health causes, they speak openly on issues around self-care and awareness. Though still no major awards yet, their consistent touring and growing radio presence signal rising acclaim. Their official website is badflowermusic.com.

Badflower

Opening the night was Sitting On Saturn, a rising alt‑rock four-piece from Austin, Texas: Sarah Jackson (lead vocals, guitar), Mike Lewis (guitar), Tina Park (bass), and Rex Harrison (drums). Their spirited 30‑minute set featured their debut EP Cosmic Teeth (Sonic Spatula Records), with fan favorites Backslide and an unreleased jam Satellite Blur. Their visuals were simple—colored stage washes with focused spotlights—and their FOH mix allowed Jackson’s vocals and guitar tones to shine cleanly. Their merch table offered CDs, enamel pins, and tees featuring EP artwork. Committed to supporting music education, they donate part of each tour-shirt sale to Texas school programs. Though they’re just beginning to earn national attention, their strong local following hasn’t gone unnoticed; this marked their first major national support slot. Their official website is sittingonsaturn.com.

Sitting On Saturn

The Unity Tour spans over 40 dates across North America, hitting key cities in the U.S. and Canada—including New York, Chicago, Seattle, Toronto, Los Angeles—plus festival slots at Summerfest, Warped Long Beach, Point Break, and Rocklahoma. Inspired by celebration—311’s Full Bloom album release and the 30th anniversary of their “Blue Album”—the tour emphasizes unity among bands and fans. Behind the scenes, 311 invited soundcheck Q&A sessions with select fans and offered VIP experiences—backstage access, signed gear, and photos—detailed on their tour blog. The result: a fan-centered, high-quality production that delivers honest, polished rock performances, personal connections, and standout crowd energy.