CULTURE WARS WORLD TOUR LANDS IN LOS ANGELES
TROUBADOR - LOS ANGELES, CA
There are few things that are more magical than a sold out night at the iconic Troubadour in West Hollywood. This past weekend, LA-based alt band Culture Wars were welcomed with not just one, but two of these euphoric experiences. The DON’T SPEAK WORLD TOUR officially landed, and the group has ensured that they did not come quietly.
One of my favorite aspects of a show is the introduction. It sets the scene for the night, and it can tell you a lot about the group, and Culture Wars has become a favorite of mine. Red and white lights alternate over the backdrop, as news snippets that have been specifically tailored to Los Angeles begin playing throughout the venue. I just happened to be standing behind a fan with a shirt that read “Los Angeles is for everyone” and chills ran down my arms. It was a powerful reminder that music is so much more than the catchy tunes stuck in our heads - it can make an impact.
The group emerged one by one, and began playing the intro to "Bittersweet" as vocalist Alex Dungan made his appearance. They were greeted by ground-breaking cheers that never faltered throughout the whole evening.
The setlist highlighted songs from their debut album Don't Speak, which was released earlier this year and has amassed millions of streams already.
The crowd devoured favorites such as "Typical Ways" and "cortisol, it's not always what's in your head" which left them begging for an encore, and Culture Wars delivered exactly that. An encore of "Lies" was the perfect cherry on top of an insane night. The energy peaked with Dungan leaping from one side of the stage to the next, while guitarist Caleb Contreras immersed himself into the crowd and drummer David Grayson ripped in the background.
Culture Wars has made a name for themselves in the rock scene, bringing a sense of authenticity that is often missing in the music world. Paired with their epic live presence, they have become a force to be reckoned with. After a massive touring year, with three legs spaced across North America, Europe and Asia, the group has made it clear that they are here to make a global impact.
