Pop Break Live: Warren Zeiders with Austin Snell on the ‘Pretty Little Poison Tour’ at Rams Head Live in Baltimore, Maryland on February 17, 2023.
Words + Photos by David Weaver
With a line that wrapped around the inside of Rams Head Live, several times, extended out into Power Plant Live, and continued on, past bars and restaurants, towards the entrance of Power Plan Live, it was clear that it was a sold-out show. Country music continues to take Baltimore by storm, and Warren Zeiders’ “Pretty Little Poison Tour” was riding the lightning and leading the charge.
Austin Snell
Opening the evening was Austin Snell, who is making great waves with his rock-infused country jams with soul-baring, honest lyrics. It’s clear from his writing, as well as his vocal delivery, that he has stories to tell. Austin put on an acoustic show, the intimate setting making the heartfelt songs seem less like a concert and more like a confession.
Despite the simplicity of its set-up, Austin put on a spectacular performance. It’s said that once you master simplicity, you’ve mastered complexity. Austin does all of this and more—delivering an impactful concert that has the sort of emotional, heart-drumming delivery of a full band concert. Between songs, he’d tell the audience a bit about himself, his journey as he chases his dreams, and why the songs are important to him.
It was a fantastic way to enhance and already intimate connection with the audience during an acoustic show. While Austin has released three singles to date, if his lyrical and vocal talent, as well as use of rock-tastic guitar riffs are a sign of what’s to come—then you won’t want to miss his inevitable album release.
Warren Zeiders
Warren Zeiders’ band exploded onto stage, immediately launching into thumping drumbeats and crowd stirring guitar riffs. Warren, who is on his second-ever tour, strolled onto stage with the casual confidence of a natural born rockstar. Warren played selections from his 2022 album 717 Tapes the Album.
Warren’s gritty vocals excel in providing the perfect palette of colors to the painting his lyrics and guitar are creating. His style is blunt yet honest, world-weary yet determined, lonely yet proud—a perfect portrayal of the wandering outlaw. Opening the concert with “Up to No Good,” had the audience toe-tapping and nodding along while he commanded the stage with the confidence of a seasoned performer.
However, no sooner had the audience gotten geared up that he brought the tempo to a halt, moving into the slow burn ballad “On the Run,” before launching into “Dark Night”—a mid-point between the high energy “Up to No Good” and the steady ballad of “On the Run.” What makes Warren stand out is his delivery of expertly executed tempo breaks, pausing to bring “Dark Night” to a near standstill before launching into the chorus with the same fire as if it had never paused.
After witnessing Warren’s expert craftsmanship and musical mastery of tempo and build, it’s no wonder that his tour continues to have sold out shows. Warren provides less of a concert and more of a phenomenon—something so original it can’t be fully appreciated unless you witness it live. To say the least, I’m officially a fan. I’m looking forward to what comes next from Warren, and if you haven’t seen him live yet, don’t hesitate, buy a ticket and treat yourself to a truly great concert.
Set list:
1. Up to No Good
2. On the Run
3. Dark Night
4. West Texas Weather
5. One Hell of an Angel
6. Drunk Drivin (acoustic)
7. Never Look Back
8. Wild Horse
9. Pretty Little Poison
10. Burn it Down
11. Ride the Lightning
