Now industry veterans after recently celebrating their 10-year anniversary, a milestone impossible for many groups to reach, their performance at Irvine Meadows displayed a flawlessness that only comes with a decade of creating, touring, and entertaining.

"What a way to end our summer tour," 311 frontman Nick Hexum commended the crowd, which spent most of the night on its feet. The enthusiastic audience produced at least three stage-rushers, but fans had plenty to be excited about and much of the credit belonged to the bands that worked them up so well.

The night almost became a dedication to weed, and would have if opening act Kottonmouth Kings had had their way. Though some critics may have dismissed them as laughable stoners, the band has taken an extremely strong anti-government stance. Their latest album, High Society, is inundated with that theme, which they say is about "trying to function and exist in this fucked up, fear based society."

Proudly displaying half a dozen marijuana plants, most of their songs took on some serious issues, like demanding legalization and protesting the government, but with an enthusiasm and charm that hyped up the crowd. Their new single, "Peace Not Greed," was eagerly welcomed as the Kings sang and rapped about anarchy and weed, and hopped all over the stage with a forceful exuberance that promises to make them headlining soon.

Finding themselves with a tough act to follow, Incubus did their best with a more mature and mellow set, though within the sounds of heavy, reverberating guitars. The band from Calabasas, CA has been on fire ever since the release of "Pardon Me" and, most recently, "Stellar," both of which were performed. Although not as flamboyant as the Kings, Incubus held a commanding presence onstage with a fluid performance that is a result of a lot of history. Childhood friends, all five grew up together in Southern California and continue to grow as a band.

What may have added most to their charisma was lead singer Brandon Boyd’s humility. Boyd seemed genuinely grateful to play at the venue he said they had only been to as spectators, and made sure to thank 311 for the opportunity to tour. One of the most respectable bands in a while, Incubus finally seem to be receiving the spotlight they deserve.

While critics have scorned them for failing to "come original" with Soundsystem, which band members call their biggest rock-influenced album to date, the eclectic setlist that night provided naysayers the greatest evidence of 311’s originality. Playing a variety of songs created within their decade-long stint, they treated the crowd by dusting off a few older songs like "Summer of Love" and, for the first time in Southern California, "Grassroots." Some of the biggest cheers of the night came with some of their biggest hits, such as "Down," "All Mixed Up," and "Beautiful Disaster."

In all honesty, the band could have played kazoos all night long and fans would have still cheered their asses off. It was that determination to have a great time that gave the night its spark, and seemed to set off guitarist Tim Mahoney, bassist "P-Nut," drummer Chad Sexton, rapper/turn-tablist "S.A." Martinez, and lead singer Hexum.

Jumping on to mainstream charts ever since their 1995 goldmine nicknamed "the blue album," the quintuplet still manages to pull a largely underground following that started in the band’s early days and only seems to grow with each passing release.

However, with success also came harsh critics who screamed "sell-out" when tickets and merchandise sales picked up, and even an ugly rumor that the band’s name stood for KKK. 311 fiercely denied the allegation and offered several meanings for the number, including "five friends making music," the Omaha police code for indecent exposure, and S.A.’s bill every time he visits Taco Bell. The strongest argument against the rumor, though, was the band’s already long-time motto of open-mindedness and anti-racism that they continued to support.

As a show of gratitude to fans who’ve stuck by them through the nastiness and "bandwagon" success, 311 embarked on a three and a half-month club and theatre tour last winter and a four-month spring tour, hitting small venues to get closer to audiences like they did in their younger, skinnier years. Spectators at Irvine had no complaints, though; every seat seemed to be a good one in the amphitheatre as the show was as impressive visually as it was musically.

Large sound systems enclosed the stage on both sides, as a starry backdrop lit up behind the band during the watery, electronic beginning of their latest single, "Flowing," and blinked occasionally throughout the rest of the set. One of the brightest highlights of the night was the much talked-about drum solo during "Applied Science," which began with an impressive showcase of skill by Sexton and expanded to include the other four band members, one drum per man. All five pounded rhythmically as though they were one, for an unforgettable five minutes that left fans both speechless and screaming for more. The show literally ended with a bang, as streamers, confetti, and sparklers showered the crowd, and many collected the small bits of memorabilia to hold them over until the band’s next concert.