London, O2 Academy Brixton, 17/04/25
The vast stage that the iconic Brixton Academy houses, a platform that has seen legends thrive and legacies be forged, can easily dwarf those who stand upon it as much as it can make them. It’s a room that many dream of simply occupying, let alone completely taking over, and a moment in the spotlight that spends more time as a pipedream than a notch on the belt.
But for these three sisters from Monterrey, dominating rooms just like this is just what they do. This is second nature for Dany, Pau and Ale, and on a European tour that has seen them repeatedly reach new heights, tonight is officially their biggest show outside of Mexico. And to celebrate such an occasion, they are putting on one of the most pitch-perfect rock and roll shows you will ever see. All in a day’s work, really.
Even before they play a single note, the love, adoration and unequivocal pride from those assembled at this very sold-out event is pertinent. The chants of “OLÉ OLÉ OLÉ” echoing from the front to the back of this legendary space are infectious, the screams as the shadow member takes their position are piercing, and the expectant rumble from stamping feet and clapping hands is deafening. And as the trio kick into gear with a crushing one-two punch of ‘Six Feet Deep’ and ‘S!CK’, both serving up the sort of heaviness that takes the air out of your lungs, such a party-powered atmosphere is immediately justified.
As is expected from a family unit that has been playing music together for as long as they can remember, there is an instinctive and instantly noticeable connection between the sisters when they are on stage together. An understanding and a tightness that cannot be bought or borrowed, a feeling of togetherness that can only come from sharing the same bloodline intensified by a deep-set passion for the art that they have forged conjointly. And seeing that connection in action, with the psychedelic intent of ‘Escapsim’ feeling even more hypnotising and the cheeky grooves of ‘MONEY’ all the more addictive, it shows just how far Dany, Ale and Pau have come over the last few years. Rather than playing like they have to prove themselves to those before them, they now know exactly what they are capable of. Oozing confidence at every turn, they are reaping the reward of their longstanding belief in each other and having a lot of fun with it.
Pulling heavily from last year’s excellent ‘Keep Me Fed’, a record written about their experiences of life on the road and the challenges that have come with their increasing stature, you can feel how much steam is getting blown off throughout tonight’s masterclass. ‘Sharks’ feels wonderfully vicious as does the rattling grooves of ‘Consume’, both tracks targeting those who have attempted to use the band’s magic for their own gain, whilst ‘Hell You Call A Dream’, despite centring on the stress and worry that comes with finally getting everything you want now feels like a power move rather than a cry for help. This reclaiming of experiences, of showing that they are stronger than they were yesterday, feels as empowering as it does emphatic, especially when the crowd gathered before them feeds off this energy so enthusiastically, whooping and encouraging at every window they are given.
Yet the biggest singalongs of the night are instead reserved for some of their older material. The extended Woah-Ohs that follow an impassioned ‘MARTIRIO’ send the tingles coursing straight up the spine, whilst the bellows that accompany ‘DISCIPLE’ demonstrate that despite their rapid ascension these past 18 months, there are plenty of recruits who have been batting for them for a long time.
And even with all of these special moments, there is one in particular which truly shows exactly why the band is in their position. As the lights dim following a punishing ‘APOLOGIZE’, Pau and Ale leave Dany alone on the stage, with just her guitar in hand, for her own four minutes in the sun. It’s a solo that begins with a lick of Mexican flair before drifting into classic rock timelessness; a love letter to those who have defined the instrument in the past as much as a summation of her own relationship with it and journey alongside it. A look of concentration on her face accompanies every carefully placed finger on every fret, littered with flickers of pure euphoria as she holds her tool to the heavens when the composition hits its most ecstatic peaks, a complete undivided devotion to the music that she is conjuring. Where for the rest of the show there has been loud jubilation, now you can hear a pin drop, with every person in attendance completely captivated by this incredible display of musicianship.
The true beauty of what The Warning represents shines through in this wonderful exhibition of talent. Though they are now very much on the world stage, from attending the Latin GRAMMYs to playing shows with everyone from Muse to Halsey, the Villarreal sisters are still the same kids they were when they first fell in love with this sound. The same kids that started a band together as pre-teens and decided to upload a cover of Metallica on YouTube because it felt good. That same passion that inspired them all those years ago still lingers heavily in everything that they do. It drives them forward and keeps them grounded. It is a permanent reminder that we all have experienced that same love story at some point in our lives and that as long as it stays at the centre of everything you do, you are on the right path.
Seeing this monumental occasion out with a slick ‘Narcisista’ and a towering ‘Automatic Sun’, this will go down as one of the biggest victories in a career of big victories for these three exceptional siblings. A performance that pays tribute to the greats as much as showing why they are the best caretakers for keeping rock and roll alive and well in the modern day, tonight was proof that The Warning are more than stars; they are a whole galaxy. And though the stratosphere surrounding them will only get more and more grand from here, but for now, everyone in South London knows that they bore witness to an absolute classic.
Content shared from rocksound.tv.