Thirty Seconds to Mars - 20 Years of a Beautiful Lie
Triumphant, eccentric and unapologetically loud — all of these describe not only the enigmatic artist that is Jared Leto but also Thirty Seconds to Mars as a whole. Few bands can capture a story 20 years in the making the way Thirty Seconds to Mars did on the 16th of August at the Kia Forum in LA.
The 20th anniversary of their iconic second studio album, ‘A Beautiful Lie’, turned into a one-night event fans will never forget. The performance was more than a showcase of their discography — it was a story of two brothers getting their lucky break, as well as a love letter to the fans who have supported them throughout the years. And a testament to the raw, undeniable talent Jared Leto brings to the stage.
The night began with a heartfelt narration and home videos of the Leto brothers recounting their 20-year journey. They reflected on the pressures that followed their debut and the battles with their record label. This transitioned into an explosive performance of ‘A Beautiful Lie’, immediately followed by ‘Kings & Queens’, as the crowd erupted in thunderous chants. Thematic triangular flags were raised by pit members as pyrotechnics and cryo effects lit up the venue.
Somehow, Jared Leto made the packed Kia Forum feel as intimate as local venues like the Echoplex and Chain Reaction in Los Angeles. The entire venue became his playground. He ran into the nosebleeds for ‘Up in the Air’ and ‘Walk on Water’ and dove into the pit during second-album staples like ‘Rescue Me’, ‘Attack’ and ‘Night of the Hunter’.
A standout moment came when the venue was awash in red lights and Leto led the charge into ‘This Is War’. His soaring vocals, backed by electrifying guitars, sent the crowd into a frenzy. Armed with a flamethrower, he even managed to crack smiles from the most stoic audience members, igniting a shared moment of thrill and unity.
Later, the band moved to the B-stage for a more intimate, acoustic set. ‘City of Angels’ lit up a sea of phone lights, ‘Savior’ became a sentimental moment for the Leto brothers, and the set closed beautifully with ‘End of All Days’. The night then ended with a red flare in hand as the band returned to the main stage to deliver final anthems — ‘Hurricane’, ‘Stuck’, and the band’s magnum opus, ‘The Kill’.
An emotional Jared Leto closed the show by thanking the fans for their unwavering support over the years, reminding everyone to chase their dreams, even in the face of adversity. Before the curtain fell, the band teased a new album, hinting at a return to their alternative rock roots — this time with “experimental sounds” they want to try.
Thirty Seconds to Mars bookmarked a new chapter in their legacy. The story isn’t over, and this one-night-only event proved that Jared Leto’s passion for music still burns brightly. It was a thunderous and triumphant show indeed!