NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2025
It’s been a magical run for the Warning since the world re-opened after the pandemic. Since they first gained a measure of fame when their cover to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” went viral when sisters Daniel, Paulina, and Alejandra Villarreal were just 14, 11, and 9 respectively. They had released their second album and were gaining traction, announcing a North American tour, when everything shut down. They signed a record deal with Lava records in 2020 and got down to business. Always relentlessly working, the band toured non-stop and continued to release music. They went on headlining tours through Europe and Japan before releasing their fourth studio album “Keep Me Fed” in June. In late September, they embarked on a North American tour, selling out shows everywhere they went. In October 30th, they wrapped up the tour by playing to a capacity crowd at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto.
Opening for the Warning was Jules is Dead, a non-binary indie rocker from nearby Barrie, Ontario. If you thought the Members of the Warning were young, this singer/songwriter is only eighteen!! At first I thought that since she was opening for the Warning, their sound would be heavier. At times it was but many of the songs had a more indie pop rock sound, a bit like Paramore. My favorite song was probably the last “My Own Hell”. The drums and guitar are great and the verses sit at the lower end of their range, giving it a moodier sound. With a very brief discography, she did play several unreleased songs so we may be looking forward to an EP or full studio album?
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Finally, the band everyone was really here to see, the Warning, took the stage. They opened with “S!CK”, a kick-ass song from their latest record that had the whole venue head banging from the word go! This was followed by “CHOKE” from their 2022 album “ERROR”, probably my favorite track off that record. Watching them perform, you truly realize how talented these sisters are. It’s always amazes me how much sound is generated by just these three musicians. Almost all the songs in the set were from their last two albums but they were so satisfying! Unfortunately, there was no music to be had at the merch table.
After touring for two straight months, they must have been tired but then again, they’re young. However, you know it’s been a long ride when Dany forgot to change guitars in between songs and Ale had to remind her. Gave everyone a good laugh. Another light moment was when, somehow, a bee got into the venue and was buzzing around both Dany and Pau. Very odd for the end of October!!
At the end of the show, they brought their whole crew on stage to thank them and take a few pictures. Then they showed appreciation to their thrilled fans by throwing guitar picks, drumsticks and drum heads into the audience! I was waiting to see if someone would heave a guitar into the crowd!! It was an incredible end to an incredible show on an incredible tour! So far, they have some shows in Mexico and Europe scheduled for early next year but, hopefully, we’ll see them touring North America again soon!!
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