S.L.R. Magazine

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LIVE REVIEW: Wage War It Calls Me By Name Tour 2026

On May 20th, 2026 at The Irving Plaza in New York City The swamp rolled through Irving Plaza recently with Wage War’s IT CALLS ME BY NAME tour to celebrate their latest EP of the same title. The tour features bands Orthodox and Nevertel. With swampy decor decorating the stage, it felt like the audience…

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On May 20th, 2026 at The Irving Plaza in New York City

The swamp rolled through Irving Plaza recently with Wage War’s IT CALLS ME BY NAME tour to celebrate their latest EP of the same title. The tour features bands Orthodox and Nevertel. With swampy decor decorating the stage, it felt like the audience was truly transported to the depths of Florida.

Written by Ace

Promotional poster for Wage War's 'It Calls Me By Name' tour featuring a textured background with a crocodile and tour dates listed.

After Orthodox got the moshers and crowd surfers warmed up, it was time for Nevertel. The rock duo of singer Jeremy Michael and guitarist/rapper Raul Lopez, and touring drummer Kevin Marks. The band only has 3 albums, with the latest coming out last year, but they are a powerhouse and a force for be reckoned with. With amazing stage energy, and a sea of crowd surfers coming nonstop through the set, they really got the energy up high in preparation for the headliner of the night.

Nevertel links

https://www.nevertelband.com

Photography by Ace

A young man with arms raised is being lifted by security at a concert, surrounded by an excited crowd.
A performer on stage looking up, wearing a black t-shirt and cap, with a microphone in their ear and a chain around their neck.
Musician playing electric guitar on stage, wearing a black hoodie and focused on performance.
A male singer performing on stage, holding a microphone, with dramatic lighting and a passionate expression.
A male singer with dark hair performing on stage, holding a microphone close to his face, wearing a white shirt and showing a tattoo on his arm, with dramatic lighting in the background.
A drummer performing on stage under dramatic lighting with focused expression, playing a drum set.
A musician performing on stage, partially obscured by smoke, wearing a black shirt and a cap, holding a microphone.
Two performers on stage, one holding a microphone and the other showcasing a tattooed arm, with dramatic lighting in the background.
Silhouette of a musician performing on stage with dramatic lighting, raising one hand towards the audience while standing near a drum set.
A performer reaches out to a fan in the audience during a live concert, with hands grasping in a moment of connection.

Wage War took the stage immediately playing hits off the new ep, such as 4×4 and Karma. The bands stage presence is incredibly commanding and engaging. From intense growls, to clean vocals, lead vocalist Briton Bond is an absolute beast on stage. Along with clean and baking vocals from lead guitarist Seth Blake, Rhythm guitarist Cody Quistad, And bassist Chris Gaylord. Not to mention the powerhouse of a drummer that Stephan Kluesener is on stage. Even though the EP that the tour is celebrating is short, it is absolutely nasty, in the best way possible. Many fans have made it a point to say that it should have been a full album, but that didn’t stop the party that was Wage War’s set.

By the time the show was over, there was only satisfaction, and maybe a bit of hydration needed after all the crowd action that occurred.
The band is already teasing new things despite their tour just ending. Fans are itching for more and are ready to jump back into the swamp.

Wage War setlist: 4×4, Alive, NAIL5, BLUR, KARMA, Don’t Let Me Fade Away, Teeth, TOMBSTONE, Low, Relapse, Death Roll, Gravity, Circle the Drain, PURIFY, MAGNETIC, Stitch, Manic, BLINDFOLD andSONG OF THE SWAMP.

Wage War links

https://wagewarband.com/

Photography by Ace

A musician playing a bass guitar on stage surrounded by green lighting and tall grass.
A drummer performing on stage, holding drumsticks with a focused expression, illuminated by green lighting.
A rock guitarist performing on stage, wearing a camouflage cap and a black tank top, playing a bright pink electric guitar with stage lights creating a green ambiance.
A male bassist performing on stage, wearing a black t-shirt with long sleeves and a lively expression, surrounded by green lighting.
A guitarist performing on stage, playing a camouflage-patterned electric guitar, with long, dark hair and visible tattoos on his arms.
A drummer performing on stage, surrounded by green lighting and decorative foliage, with drum kits and microphones visible in the background.
A musician performing on stage, playing an electric guitar, wearing a camo cap and sleeveless shirt, with colorful stage lighting in the background.
A drummer performing on stage under colorful lights, focused on playing the drums.
A performer with long hair and tattoos passionately singing on stage under colorful lighting.
A musician playing a bass guitar on stage, surrounded by greenery and atmospheric lighting.
A guitarist performing on stage with a camouflage-patterned guitar, surrounded by dramatic lighting and foliage.
A close-up of a singer passionately performing on stage, holding a microphone, with vibrant green lighting in the background.

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