I may not have known much about The Missing Peace going into their August 20 show at El Cid in Los Angeles, but by the end of the night, I already knew I’d want to see them again.

Hailing from Washington, D.C., The Missing Peace blend elements of alternative rock, punk, hard rock and shoegaze into a sound built for a live setting. The band released their debut EP, THE VOID, in 2025, followed by an expanded deluxe edition earlier this year.

The intimate setting at El Cid made the show especially fun to photograph. Being that close to both the band and the crowd gives you the chance to capture moments that can easily get lost at a larger venue.

The Missing Peace brought that energy from the beginning. Early in the set, vocalist Luciano jumped into the crowd, immediately pulling everyone into the performance and making sure the audience had the energy to keep up. It was one of those moments that made the room feel even smaller and the crowd even more connected to the band.

“ONE BULLET” was probably my favorite song of the night. It was also a highlight getting to photograph Lazarus on guitar and vocals. Some of my favorite shots from the show came during those moments, and he gave me plenty to work with from behind the camera.

Overall, The Missing Peace delivered the kind of high-energy set that feels perfectly suited for a small room like El Cid. It was a great night, an ideal venue for photography, and a band I’m glad I got the chance to see.

I have a feeling the next time I see The Missing Peace, it’ll be in a much bigger venue.

Photos and words by Chris Rivera