About two-thirds of the way through Echo & the Bunnymen’s recent performance at Warner Theatre, the band was completely locked into a pleasing groove. During “Nothing Lasts Forever” from 1997’s Evergreen, frontman Ian McCulloch leaned into a tribute to one of his musical heroes, weaving snippets of Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” and “Coney Island Baby” into the performance.
By that point in the evening, McCulloch appeared entirely at ease. The famously enigmatic singer had settled comfortably into the show, embracing the cool confidence and romantic swagger that have long defined his stage presence. As the band stretched out the song, he turned Reed’s classic into a local moment, addressing the audience directly with a lyrical tweak.
“Washington, DC, take a walk on the wild side,” Mac sang, drawing cheers from the crowd.
The moment neatly captured the spirit of Echo & the Bunnymen’s performance at Warner Theatre on June 5. While the Liverpool post-punk pioneers arrived armed with a setlist packed with beloved songs from throughout their career, the concert was less about revisiting the past than inhabiting it. McCulloch and guitarist Will Sergeant guided the band through a confident, unhurried performance that highlighted the enduring power of songs that have remained fixtures of alternative rock for more than four decades.
Opening with “Going Up,” the band quickly established the darkly melodic atmosphere that has defined Echo & the Bunnymen since their earliest recordings. Songs from the group’s acclaimed debut album, including “Rescue,” “All That Jazz,” and “Crocodiles,” arrived early in the set and were greeted enthusiastically by a crowd that clearly knew the material well.
Watch the official music video for “The Cutter” by Echo & the Bunnymen on YouTube:
And therein lies the point of an Echo & the Bunnymen show: It’s a communal experience. The crowd often took the lead on the choral refrains, and in a way Mac, Will, and the rest of the band became participants in the audience’s celebration of the music. The band clearly fed off those moments, lighting up whenever the crowd seized the opportunity to sing along.
Throughout the evening, Sergeant’s guitar work remained the band’s not-so-secret weapon. His shimmering textures and distinctive melodies continue to provide the foundation for Echo & the Bunnymen’s sound, giving songs such as “The Cutter,” “Seven Seas,” and “Over the Wall” both urgency and atmosphere. Just as Peter Hook’s bass lines became one of the defining sounds of the post-punk era, Sergeant’s guitar remains one of its most distinctive voices. Decades after helping shape that movement, his playing is still instantly recognizable.
McCulloch, meanwhile, seemed increasingly comfortable as the night progressed. His voice carried the drama that has long distinguished the band’s catalog, and his occasional interactions with the audience helped create a relaxed connection between performer and crowd. Mac took the opportunity to banter about whatever was on his mind between songs, approaching the evening more like a friendly conversation than a rote rendition of familiar material.
The setlist balanced fan favorites with deeper selections drawn from across the band’s extensive catalog. “Heads Will Roll,” “All My Colours (Zimbo),” and “Bedbugs and Ballyhoo” demonstrated the breadth of the group’s songwriting while maintaining the momentum of the evening. The band’s willingness to explore different eras of its history helped the performance feel like a celebration of a career rather than a greatest-hits exercise. This show was another successful stop on the band’s More Songs to Learn and Sing Tour, after all.
As the show entered its final stretch, anticipation naturally built around some of Echo & the Bunnymen’s most enduring songs. “Bring On the Dancing Horses” inspired one of the evening’s biggest audience reactions, while “The Killing Moon” served as an emotional centerpiece. Few songs from the 1980s alternative-rock era have retained their mystique quite as effectively, and its performance reminded listeners why it remains one of the band’s defining achievements.
Watch the official music video for “The Killing Moon” by Echo & the Bunnymen on YouTube:
The night closed with “Lips Like Sugar,” sending the sold-out Warner Theatre crowd home on a high note. Fittingly, many of the evening’s most memorable moments came when the audience’s voices rose to meet the band on the choruses. For longtime followers and newer listeners alike, the concert offered a reminder of why Echo & the Bunnymen remain one of the most influential and enduring acts to emerge from the post-punk era — and why these songs continue to inspire such devotion decades after they were first recorded.
Originally, Echo & the Bunnymen’s next show was scheduled for Sunday, June 7, in Philadelphia — but Mac was injured in a car accident on the way to Philadelphia! Thankfully, he recovered quickly, and the band rescheduled Philadelphia for June 9, missing only the one show. We were elated to hear that Mac was ultimately OK and relieved that DC didn’t end up as the last show on the tour.
Here are some photos of Echo & the Bunnymen performing live at Warner Theatre on June 5, 2026. All pictures by Mickey McCarter.
