REVIEW: Wagon at Philly Style Pizza
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WRITTEN BY: Sydney Martin
On Friday October 20th, Wagon opened for alternative R&B artist Charli Dahni at Philly Style Pizza, an all female line-up organized by Bell Tower Music. Despite it being their first live performance ever, the band’s intimate interaction with the crowd and their seamless performance reflected as if it was otherwise.
Wagon is an all female and non-binary group based in Philadelphia, PA, with Jackie Erfle on vocals and rhythm guitar, Adenike Ononuga bassist and vocals, Abby Alderama on lead guitar and Hallie Morton on drums.
Although Wagon’s music is currently unavailable on streaming platforms, enthusiastically the band replied “Yes” when asked if they plan to perform again anytime soon. “Perhaps early November,” Nike said.
Their set was thirty minutes long, consisting of four songs–one cover and three originals. Wagon’s sound is unique, illustrating a wide range of genres and emotions. Although “Pistols in the River” containing tones of folkiness and “Gordian Knot’s” choppy boisterous vocals often heard within the grunge genre were incredibly different, they worked well in the 4 long song set list, “False Alarms” positioned in between.
The band had a contagiously energetic stage presence, cracking jokes and sharing insight into their music over the mic as they filled the time held between songs.
Both Nike and Jackie were on vocals, Jackie started off the set with “I wish I was Stephen Malkmus” by Beabadoobee before passing off the mic to Nike for “Pistols in the River.” Jackie stated that the band first started playing together in the Spring 2023 semester and began practicing more frequently this semester.
Following the second song Abby announced that the third song of their performance was first written during their senior year of high school, elated to have watched it transform into the song it is today.
After the show I learned from Hallie that she has been playing the drums since age eight. Of the members of Wagon some of their majors consist of English and Music, evident within their masterful lyrics and instrumentals. Reflected within the band’s enticing performance and general enthusiasm, it is clear that music has and will always be a large part of their lives.
As a newly founded band, Wagon is a group to keep on your radar. Amongst their dynamic sound and versatile songs, their music can surely be enjoyed and appreciated across all audiences.
I’m looking forward to seeing Wagon grow and evolve with their music, and hopefully, someday soon, will be accessible on streaming platforms!
