The Warning at Brixton Academy
The Smiths, The Ramones, Madonna – an unfathomable amount of iconic artists have graced the hallowed hall of Brixton Academy. It has to be partly why headlining the near 100-year-old venue must be on the bucket list for any band that dreams of “making it”.
Tonight, The Warning have travelled halfway across the world from Mexico for the only UK date on their current European tour. Remarkably, it was just under a year ago they played the Kentish Town Forum, a venue less than half the size of this. And so, as fans from all over the nation gather in the ornate Academy auditorium, the night is ready to go.
The lights go down. A roar goes up. Grainy distortion rings out. Then they appear, the Villarreal Vélez sisters: Daniela (AKA Dany) up front on guitar and lead vocals, with drummer Paulina and bassist Alejandra on backing vocals.
From the first note, The Warning are electric.
Kicking off proceedings is Six Feet Deep, the crowd singing along with all their might. “London, I wanna see your hands in the air!” yells Dany, barely pausing for breath as they dive into the following number, Sick. Two songs in, and the screams and whistles from fans are already hitting unbelievable volumes.
The question is asked, “Are you ready for some rock and rooooooll?!” It’s a loud, resounding “yes”.
The Warning are a vision in shredded red, inviting everyone to celebrate tonight with them as they tear out song after song. Given only three people are onstage, it’s a hell of a racket, effortlessly filling the high-ceiling venue with noise and joy. The crowd is in the palms of their hands – this band were meant to play here.
The music pulses, grooves and rocks hard. From a whisper in Apologise to a full-throated roar in Consume, Dany’s vocals are masterful. Whenever Paulina has a chance to sing, like in Martirio, her head is thrown back as she pounds the drums within an inch of their life.
Every member gets a tastefully-done solo moment – a lone spotlight shines on Dany as her guitar melodically sings, which the crowd laps up by chanting her name, Paulina busts out a short and sweet drum solo towards the end of Escapism, and Alejandra’s bass playing opens several songs with the right level of swagger.
Before too long… “¡Muchas gracias London!” says an elated Dany as the night comes to an end. We’re informed this is their biggest headline show outside of Mexico, and, honestly? It feels correct. There are bands out there, some with decades in music behind them, who could only dream of captivating an audience the way The Warning does. Even after playing a venue this size, it only feels like the beginning.
With a warm wish to return very soon, they send the Brixton crowd into the night with the gnarly closer, Automatic Sun.
Their new album Keep Me Fed is out soon – put it on your must-listen list.
Gem Hurley
Photos: Mike Garnell
For further information and future events visit The Warning’s website here.
Watch the video for the single Automatic Sun here:
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