“The kids are alright,” I hear myself saying as I stand surrounded by by screaming concert goers recently at the sold-out Finn Wolfhard show at The Atlantis.
There’s something to be said for the recent spate of albums being released that have a ’90s indie rock-inspired feel. And I, for one, am here for it. From artists like Wet Leg and Momma to Slow Pulp there is a revival of sorts in the jangly, distorted rock that draws its inspiration from the Pavements and Guided by Voices of the past.
One of the most exciting releases of these artists this year so far has come from Finn Wolfhard, the actor famously of the hit television series Stranger Things. Over the past several years he has honed his craft in bands like Calpurnia and The Aubreys. Now with his solo album, Happy Birthday, released over the Summer, Wolfhard has crafted a brilliant set of pop gems, including singles like “Choose the latter” and “Objection!” Produced by Kai Slater of the band Lifeguard (by the way an incredible band to catch live if you have the chance), the record has a laid-back lo-fi vibe that comes in with unexpecting hooks that demands repeat listens.
With the announcement of the debut album, Finn Wolfhard embarked on his first solo tour with a stop at DC’s The Atlantis on Sept. 14. He brought with him The Slaps, a three-piece from Chicago, who cross that great divide between long jazz-inspired passages and straight ahead rock. In addition to openers, The Slaps, along with Gep Repasky of Lunar Vacation on vocals and bass.
I had a preview of the show, so to speak, at Wolfhard’s stop in Baltimore at the Ottobar Friday night and at both nights fans showed up early and lined blocks, waiting to get in to each club. As fans of both jangly indie rock and, let’s admit it, Stranger Things, brought paper and posterboard signs.
As the main room at The Atlantis quickly filled up, the intense feeling of anticipation was something I rarely see anymore. And when Finn Wolfhard and his band took the stage the screams from the crowd was deafening.
Taking the stage, Wolfhard and company went right into “Chose the latter,” the latest single from Happy Birthday with confidence. I was thoroughly impressed at how tight this band was. As the band was playing “Trailers after dark” they mixed in a bit of Bob Dylan’s “If Not For You” in a mash up with Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane” that I never knew I needed until that moment.
Although, understandably, a good chunk of the set was devoted to songs from Happy Birthday, but there were a couple of songs I didn’t recognize right away. Wolfhard and company even performed a couple of songs from his project with Malcolm Craig, The Aubreys — “No Offerings” and their cover of “Another Girl, Another Planet,” the power pop gem from English new wavers The Only Ones (also a favorite tune of Johnny Marr!).
Watch the official muisc video for “Objection!” by Finn Wolfhard on YouTube:
Some songs like “Wait” were transformed live from a mid-tempo rambler to have more punch on the stage, propelled by this band who genuinely were having fun.
After a regular set that felt all too short, Finn Wolfhard returned to the stage solo to play the title track from his debut, “Happy Birthday,” pausing to laugh when as he sang “What do you want? It’s your birthday” after someone yelled out “You!”
Finn Wolfhard and his band finished with an incredible “Crown” through a sonic freakout which saw Wolfhard take over the drums for the last few bars. A brilliant set by an artist who knows how to put on a great show.
Finn Wolfhard has wrapped up the US leg of his tour, starting his European leg in October.
The setlist included:
Chose the latter
Eat
Objection!
Trailers after dark
Everytown there’s a darling
the climb (not that one)
Another Girl, Another Planet (The Aubreys cover)
No Offerings (The Aubreys cover)
Wait
I’ll let you finish
Encore:
Happy Birthday
You
Crown
Here are more photos of Finn Wolfhard performing at The Atlantis on Sept. 14, 2025. All photos copyright and courtesy of David LaMason
And here are photos of The Slaps opening the evening at The Atlantis
