Mexican superstars The Warning prove they’re the Villar-real deal at landmark Brixton Academy show
“You guys ready for some rock ‘n’ roll?” Daniela Villarreal Vélez asks with a knowing twinkle in her eye.
Tonight, The Warning seem like they’re here to show – not prove, but show – that they’re the coolest girls in the world. There’s nothing big-headed about it; it’s as if they’re simply stating fact. After all, they’ve had a stunning trajectory that has surpassed the dreams that vocalist and guitarist Daniela, drummer Paulina and bassist Alejandra had as three young sisters playing Rock Band in Mexico. Since going viral for a cover of Metallica's Enter Sandman as teenagers, they’ve put themselves and their home country, on the world stage in a burning ball of gigantic riffs and passion. Tonight’s their biggest show outside of Mexico, and they’re ready to light a fire inside the art deco hall of fame that is Brixton Academy.
Opener Sophie Lloyd is a natural pairing for The Warning, and the crowd enthusiastically clap along to her virtuosic shredding. She does gymnastics with her body, often arching backwards as she plays, as much as she does with her guitar, at one point flexing her fingers across the fretboard at lightning speed with no accompaniment. Charmingly, she even chucks in a cover of Enter Sandman, with the crowd as her choir. Although she doesn’t colour outside of classic rock’s lines much, favouring slickness when more moments like the achingly raw self-doubt anthem Imposter Syndrome would work better, she’s an obvious show-woman.
The Warning, meanwhile, have a greater sense of grit about them. Coupled with their ability to spit out anthem after anthem, it feels like they’re already screaming for a bigger room. Against a backdrop of pupil-searing video screens and flashing lights, and with YUNGBLUD and Nova Twins looking on, their songs come to life, from the sassy opener Six Feet Deep to the steely S!CK, while Apologize brims with a venomous sense of danger.
It quickly becomes clear that studio recordings don’t quite do justice to how powerful Daniela’s voice is live (though the towering CHOKE comes close), with more huskiness than their albums capture. She even gets a beautiful moment alone in a spotlight for a graceful and more emotional take on a solo than most bands would attempt.
Helpfully, they have a boisterous crowd this evening that spans a surprising variety of ages from kids in leather jackets to grey-haired men, who make the sing-alongs sound like football chants. It means MONEY’s left-vs-right 'CASH! MONEY!' shout-along sounds arena-sized, as do the skyscraping whoa-ohs in DISCIPLE. When Daniela asks, “Okay London, you want more?” it sounds like a silly question. It’s obvious that their songs are clearly sculpted to soar in a big, packed room, and as such, this is really where they thrive.
By the end of the fierce closer Automatic Sun, everyone who’s seated and able to is on their feet applauding. If we’re looking at the future of stadium rock tonight, then we’re going to be in safe hands – and it’s about time we have some women acting as torchbearers.
