Wage War Concert Review The Marquee Theater Tempe, AZ 10-29-24

Concert Review and Photos By Maxwell Williamson

Loud and proud from Ocala, nestled in the heart of Florida’s Sunshine State, Wage War is seemingly at the pinnacle of their success. Riding high on the wave of their latest album, Stigma, released on June 24th, 2024, they are celebrating their very first number one radio hit, “Magnetic,” while performing to sold-out crowds on their immensely popular Stigma Tour. It quickly became clear why this tour is enjoying such a remarkable run!

Each opening act infused the night with their unique blend of heavy yet melodic sounds. Fame On Fire, kicked off the evening, followed by Thrown, with Erra taking the stage last to set the mood for the headliners, Wage War. From the very beginning, the Marquee Theater in Tempe, AZ, was alive with an electric energy. As each song finished, the cheers from the crowd grew louder, amplifying the anticipation for what was to come!

During the stage swap between Erra and Wage War, the incredibly enthusiastic Tempe rockers united for a lively group karaoke session, belting out a variety of songs played over the PA system, ranging from Toby Keith to Creed, Slipknot, and Metallica. It was evident that the audience had diverse musical tastes, and the camaraderie and love in the atmosphere were unparalleled! As the house lights finally dimmed, a vibrant stage was revealed, adorned with several large screens displaying a countdown clock ticking down from 60 seconds. Frontman Briton Bond stepped onto the stage solo and began his acapella beginning to a song from the previously mentioned Stigma album; “The Show’s About to Start.”

Once the countdown clock hit zero, the remaining band members dashed onto the stage, and the show commenced with an explosive cheer from the Wage War army of fans. With each release, Wage War has evolved as musicians, and their live performances consistently excite audiences. Briton Bond has always been a dynamic and commanding frontman, known for his powerful raspy screams. Recently, he has begun sharing some of the clean vocals with ryhthm guitarist Cody Quistad, creating a harmonious blend that captivates listeners with memorable choruses sure to linger in your mind long after the show. When it’s time to amp up the energy and get the mosh pit moving, Bond’s commanding screams are always there to take charge of the room!

The security at the marquee theater certainly got their workout managing the constant influx of crowd surfers. The energy from the thunderous mosh pit kept the crowd’s movement lively and chaotic from beginning to end. When surveying the audience about first-timers versus returning attendees at the Wage War concert, the results showed a fairly even distribution. Boyd expressed his satisfaction with this mix and mentioned that this trend had been consistent at every tour stop thus far. He further acknowledged the role of local radio in promoting their music, giving a special nod to Phoenix’s 98 KUPD for featuring their hit single “Magnetic.”

They also ensured that the “old school” fans were pleased, featuring five out of the eighteen tracks from their first two albums, Blueprints and Deadweight. Each of their five studio releases was represented, with at least one song included in the set, and Stigma leading the pack with an impressive eight tracks!

After a vigorous 16-song set with minimal breaks, they exited the stage with a simple “Thank you, Tempe.” The crowd erupted in a loud chant for “ENCORE, ENCORE, ENCORE,” which continued for a considerable time, and the energy remained high. Eventually, the WW band returned to the stage, and the atmosphere shifted as they performed an acoustic, stripped-down version of their classic song “Johnny Cash.” The audience sang along passionately, creating a truly mesmerizing experience. Midway through, they turned up the intensity, transitioning to a heavy sound once more! The unique rendition of this fan favorite began softly and ended powerfully. They concluded the night with their ear-splitting track “Manic.” Aware that it was the final song of the evening, the crowd elevated the energy even further! It was remarkable how they managed to do so after such a chaotic night! This performance stands out as one of the best shows I’ve attended in 2024, both for the impressive performance and the enthusiastic crowd engagement! Be sure to check out any of the four bands mentioned in this review—they’re guaranteed to impress!

Check out the Wage War Photo Gallery:

Erra Photo Gallery:

Thrown Photo Gallery:

Fame On Fire PHoto Gallery: