You could feel it before doors even opened. That weird electricity in the air — like the venue itself knew something was about to go down. Outside, fans were already lined up, some rocking Warning tees, others just vibing. A few teens, some older heads, even a couple of parents who clearly got dragged along but ended up loving it.
The Fillmore Silver Springs’s got that gritty (yet still corporate) charm with its exposed beams, mirrored disco ball, and sticky floors, plus a sound system that’ll punch you in the chest if you stand too close. It’s the perfect place for a band like The Warning. It was also The Warning’s first-ever headlining show in the DMV, and it sure felt like something was about to erupt when they recently took the stage.
On July 16, opening act Speed of Light — a couple of brothers and a sister trio of teens from DC with garage punk energy and a raw, unfiltered sound — tore through a short set that felt like a love letter to early Hole and late-stage Misfits. Their frontwoman, barely old enough to vote, had a snarl that could cut glass. It wasn’t polished, but it was real and the crowd responded with head nods and scattered cheers. Not bad for a band most of the audience hadn’t heard of before tonight.
Then came the moment. The lights dropped and with a thunderous crash, Dani, Pau, and Ale Villarreal stormed the stage as “Six Feet Deep” opened the set and it was instant combustion. No warm-up, no easing in, just Dani, Pau, and Ale ripping the roof off.
Dani’s voice was sharp as hell. It was controlled chaos. Pau behind the drums was a beast, almost like she was conducting thunder. Ale’s bass rumbled and snarled. The three of them were tight, aggressive, and completely locked in.The chemistry between them was electric.
“S!ck” followed, and if “Six Feet Deep” was the ignition, this was the explosion. The crowd was already singing along, not just mouthing lyrics, but screaming them. “Satisfied” came next, and it was clear: this wasn’t going to be just a concert. It was a communion.
Watch the official music video for “S!CK” by The Warning on YouTube:
There’s something about The Warning’s live energy that doesn’t translate fully on record. The songs and the emotions in a live setting feel rawer. “Choke” was a masterclass in tension and release, with Dani’s voice cracking just enough to remind you she’s human and hurting. “Que Mas Quieres” brought a wave of Spanish-speaking fans to life, their voices rising above the rest in a moment that felt deeply personal.
“Escapism” was one of the night’s emotional peaks. The lighting dimmed to a soft blue, and for a few minutes, the room felt suspended in time. Dani’s delivery was haunting, like she was singing from somewhere just outside reality.
Then came “Apologize,” and it was like the band had reached into the crowd’s collective chest and pulled out every regret, every heartbreak, every moment of self-doubt. It was brutal and beautiful.
The energy ramped back up as “More” and “Money” brought the fire back. Pau was straight-up feral on the drums during “Money”, like she was trying to break through the floor.
“Burnout” and “Sharks” kept the momentum going, with Dani prowling the stage like a predator, locking eyes with fans and daring them to keep up.
The transition into “Disciple” was flawless. One moment you’re riding a high, and then that opening riff drops like a guillotine. Everything goes tight and tense and mean and I’m way past pit age, but I felt it in my chest.
“Martirio” was a standout. Sung entirely in Spanish, it carried a weight that transcended language. Dani’s voice was soaked in anguish, and the crowd — even those who didn’t understand the lyrics — felt it, you could see it in their faces.
Watch the official music video for “Martirio” by The Warning on YouTube:
“Evolve” closed the main set, and it was a fitting finale, a sonic evolution that showcased everything the band has become. From viral video kids covering Metallica to seasoned rock warriors carving out their own legacy.
The Warning had barely walked offstage before the room started shaking again. It wasn’t applause, it was insistence. People weren’t ready to let go and when the band came back out for the encore, it was clear they weren’t ready to let go either.
The encore was short but devastating. “Narcisista” brought the house down, with Dani spitting lyrics like venom, guitar tone gone full chainsaw and Pau hammering the drums like she was exorcising demons. It’s such a bitter, angry song — and they leaned into that hard. It was nasty in the best way.
“Automatic Sun” was a shimmering, bittersweet goodbye that left the crowd dazed and happy. It was the kind of song that makes you feel like maybe — just maybe — the world hasn’t fully gone to hell.
The Warning isn’t just a band. They’re a movement that has tapped into something primal, especially for young women in rock, who’ve spent years watching men dominate the genre. And if you’ve written The Warning off as just another internet rock band, you’re not paying attention. These women are rewriting what power looks like on a stage. And they’re doing it loud.
Comparisons to Halestorm or Paramore are inevitable. But The Warning isn’t following anyone’s blueprint. They’re creating their own and The Fillmore itself added to the magic. With its rich history, everyone from Prince to Nine Inch Nails has played here and it felt like the perfect place for The Warning to stake their claim.
It was a night where three sisters from Monterrey reminded us that rock isn’t dead, it’s just been waiting for the right voices.
Setlist
1. Six Feet Deep
2. S!ck
3. Satisfied
4. Choke
5. Que Mas Quieres
6. Escapism
7. Apologize
8. More
9. Money
10. Burnout
11. Sharks
12. Disciple
13. Hell You Call a Dream
14. Martirio
15. Evolve
Encore
16. Narcisista
17. Automatic Sun
Here are some photos of The Warning performing at The Fillmore Silver Spring on July 16, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Michael Sprouse/ Odd Rocker Photography.
Here are some photos of Speed of Light opening The Warning at The Fillmore Silver Spring on July 16, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Michael Sprouse/ Odd Rocker Photography.
I truly enjoyed your text. You managed to capture in words what it feels like to be there, in person, with the trembling joy of one of The Warning’s electrifying shows. Congrats!