Wage War Brings Manic Tour to Starland Ballroom
Wage War stopped at Sayreville as part of their Manic Tour. This stop would take place at the infamous Starland Ballroom. This is my absolute favorite venue since it was the first I ever visited as a kid! I’ve been looking forward to this show for a while and was so happy the day was here. Fans lined up around the building, waiting to go inside. Once you walked into the building, a huge line was starting at the merch table. I overheard many fans saying how excited they were for Wage War’s set.
Spite hit the stage first, and while I’d never heard of them before, they definitely left an impression on me and many others in the crowd. Their fans were singing along and head-banging throughout their entire set. At specific points throughout the set, the lead singer, Scott, asked the crowd to make a circle pit. The guitarists could be seen getting low to the ground and their hair flowing all over. While this was heavier music than I am used to, the delivery of it made me want to listen to them once I got home.
Nothing,Nowhere hit the stage next, and I highly anticipated his set. I caught his show last month and was happy he was opening for Wage War. There were many exciting moments throughout the set. Will Ramos, the lead singer of Lorna Shore, came out to scream on the Nothing, Nowhere song he is featured in called "TRAG3DY." It also was the guitarist’s birthday, so the crowd said happy birthday to him, which was nice.
Before Wage War came out on stage, messages were on the screen to get the crowd hyped up. The lead singer Briton said that they have been here many times before. He explained that he wanted the crowd to give it all they got and make a statement. Briton said he didn’t care if people were standing in the back or the side to get moving and let’s go.
He said it’s been so much fun being in Jersey and thanked everyone for coming out. Briton asked which fans had been there since day one, and many of the crowd cheered. He told them to get up to the stage and start crowd surfing. Briton told Jersey to give it up and said they were having a blast and that the crow was being crazy.
He said to give it up for the two opening acts Spite and Nothing, Nowhere. Then he said they would slow it down for a minute so he could sing the song "Me Against Myself." I love when artists with an extensive range like this can play heavy songs and bring them back down. Wage War released an album titled The Stripped Sessions in December last year, which I absolutely loved.
After slowing it down, he brought it back up and said he wanted to see the room spin for a song called "Death Roll." Briton explained that we only have one shot at this life and to take care of each other. He said he loves his fans and that it’s their favorite show to play in the state. They played "Circle The Drain" and asked the crowd if they wanted one more song. The crowd cheered, said yes, and were surprised when they learned they would get two more songs! Check out Wage War on one of their remaining dates on The Manic Tour; you won’t regret it!
