Paperback Heroes singer Bryan Hopkins and Lifehouse guitarist Ben Carey perform at Hard Rock Cafe Universal Citywalk

Universal Citywalk kicked off their Spring Break Live concert series with a launch party and mini concert at The Hard Rock Café on Citywalk.

On the upper level of the restaurant, one floor above tables full of hungry tourists, bands took to a small stage.

Michael Wassef and Chris Knific of the punk-rock band Later Days, performed their song “I Don’t Know One Thing.”

The group was last year’s winner of the KIIS FM Wango Tango Break Out Star competition and is no stranger to performing on Citywalk.

“Mike’s songs are just so freakin’ good,” said the band’s bassist Paul Martello. Their sound is a fresh, sweet spin on classic alternative rock and Martello leaked that the band is currently in negotiations for a record deal.

“It’s not just about the marquee artists,” said Pat Donahue, the director of entertainment for Universal Citywalk, “it’s about having passion and commitment to the upcoming artists.”

In the next set, Bryan Hopkins, lead vocalist of the emerging alternative rock band Paperback Heroes, was joined by Lifehouse guitarist Ben Carey. Hopkins and Carey smoothed out the vibe at Hard Rock with the song “Lullaby” that the two collaborated on. Carey’s all-star guitar skills shown through and caused many Hard Rock patrons below to quiet and take notice.

As the pre-party event wrapped up with the sounds of Latin-funk-rock band Rey Fresco performing, other bands began to perform on the big stage outside on the walk.

Every weekend until May 7 bands from all genres will take the stage. USC’s student a capella groups The Sirens and The Trojan Men join the performance roster on April 30.

If the large crowds gathering around the main stage Friday were any indication, this spring’s concert series is staged to be a success.

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