This shot of Dennis Lyxzén was taken during Refused’s final show before the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down. March 9, 2020, at 1720 in Los Angeles, a packed house, and one of the last truly chaotic punk shows before the world hit pause.

I wanted to capture the movement and energy of the moment, so I shot this with a long exposure, which ended up making Dennis look like he just unleashed some kind of special move straight out of Street Fighter. The lighting, the swirl of motion, the sheer intensity of the performance—it all came together in a way that just screams Refused.

Sharing the stage with Dennis that night were guitarist Kristofer Steen, drummer David Sandström, and bassist Magnus Flagge—each one bringing the same fire and precision that’s made Refused one of the most influential hardcore bands of all time. The band tore through a mix of classics and newer material, proving that their sound is just as cutting and vital now as it was when The Shape of Punk to Come first shook the scene.

Other Bands on the Bill:

METZ was direct support, delivering their own crushing set, and Youth Code opened the night with an explosive performance. But when Refused hit the stage, it was next level. Dennis never stood still for a second, throwing himself around the stage with that same relentless energy he’s had since the ‘90s.

Setlist from 1720 – March 9, 2020:

Blood Red, Worms of the Senses/Faculties of the Skull, Elektra, I Wanna Watch the World Burn, Violent Reaction, Rather Be Dead, Coup d’état, Malfire, The Shape of Punk to Come, The Deadly Rhythm, Damaged III, Economy of Death, New Noise Encore: It’s Not O.K…, Summerholidays vs. Punkroutine, REV001