Posted: by The Alt Editing Staff
Having recently kicked off their tour in support of their latest record Bleeds, Wednesday brought their spring run to a sold-out crowd at Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville. Formed in 2017, the band has steadily built a devoted following, with Bleeds landing on numerous year-end “Best Of” lists, like ours. Frontwoman Karly Hartzman reflected on the moment, noting that the band had previously played the venue and numerous Nashville shows as an opener but never thought they’d headline.
Wednesday continues to occupy an interesting space sonically. While rooted in country and Americana, their previous record Rat Saw God leaned further into rock territory. Bleeds builds on that foundation, blending those elements with sharper, more abrasive moments that cut through their typically laid-back sound and add a new intensity to their live show.
Opening the show was South Florida based hardcore band, Gouge Away. A fitting opener for a band with the range that Wednesday has and a choice that may not be expected for all fans. Hartzman has cited vocalist Christina Michelle as an influence on her own harsher vocal style, making the lineup feel especially intentional.
The setlist pulled heavily from Bleeds, with one of the night’s standout moments coming when Michelle joined the band onstage for their first performance together of “Phish Pepsi.” Watching the crowd, it was clear that their shows will only continue to rapidly grow. Before launching into the final stretch of songs, Hartzman pointed out the size and energy of the mosh pit, one of the largest she’d seen, and encouraged the crowd to leave everything they had on the floor.
Ahead of ahead of “Bull Believer,” she took a moment to speak on political injustices, emphasizing the importance of community, especially in the South, and the need to create safe spaces while advocating for others in the face of systemic challenges. It was only fitting that they ended their set with “Wasp”, one of their heaviest songs that replicates the energy the night started with.
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Lindsy Carrasquillo | @lindsy_carr
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