NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2025
When I first heard about the most recent Oh Wonder album “22 Break” and how Anthony Vander West and Josephine Vander Gucht (now Vander West) had been in the midst of possibly breaking up while writing the record, I was completely devastated! I had met them at their Paste Studio session in 2019 and they were the most lovely people and absolutely the most adorable couple. Happily, they stayed together and married in the summer of 2021! The record itself is so raw and emotional. This is not a record to be played in the background. Sit down, put your headphones on and LISTEN. Also, if you get a chance, watch the 38 minute film of the record. Wonderful!
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While they never began the US leg of the tour supporting their third studio album “No One Else Can Wear Your Crown” due to lockdown, after their pandemic released EP “Home Tapes” and the aforementioned “22 Break” (pronounced “two to break”) in October 2021, we’re finally seeing Oh Wonder here in the States!
Opening for Oh Wonder was Swedish singer/songwriter Winona Oak (aka Johanna Ewana Ekmark). Oak has primarily been known for her collaborations with the Chainsmokers on “Hope”, with What So Not on “Beautiful”, and for a cover of HAIM’s “Don’t Save Me”. Her debut album “Island in the Sun” is set to be released on June 10th. During her set, she regularly engaged with the crowd by reaching out to fans several times. One time, she noticed something going on in the crowd and stopped singing for a minute to make sure the person was ok. Obviously her fans are very important to her. Take a listen to her music and prepare to be impressed.
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Oh Wonder was just as amazing as ever and had the crowd dancing throughout the evening. They didn’t play as many songs off “22 Break” as I expected but I suppose singing songs from a breakup record after they get married seems inappropriate. I was sad that they didn’t perform “Free”, my favorite track off the record. They did mention that the new record “22 Make” would be released on July 8th so we can hear part two of their 22 series, with their wedding as the inspiration for the upcoming album. They did play “Magnificent” and “Fuck It I Love You” from the “22 Make” and had the fans singing along to the words! It was so good having Oh Wonder back as their live shows are such a treat and I can’t wait for their next tour!
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