On July 12th, 2026, I embarked on an unusual adventure at the legendary club Molotow in Hamburg. I decided to step out of my musical comfort zone and introduce myself to what is, for my taste, an atypical musical bubble. The US powerhouse CULTURE WARS did their first proper European tour this summer, and it was everything I expected and more.
As much as it pains me to admit that my social media algorithm actually works, there is no way around it. I discovered CULTURE WARS through an ad on Instagram, and they immediately caught my attention with their ’90s indie sound with an edge. Something that might not be obvious from my work at Tuonela Magazine is that I truly enjoy indie rock, despite my heart beating to the rhythm of far heavier sounds. So imagine my shock when, after discovering the band through the song “Typical Ways,” off their latest full-length release “Don’t Speak,” I realized their blend of indie rock and pop was so addictive that I couldn’t stop listening to them for months.
I still didn’t know what to expect from the concert, but I was pleasantly surprised to see people of all ages (though, admittedly, mostly Gen Z) come together for a show where every single soul could let go and move to the rhythm of CULTURE WARS‘ hits like “Bittersweet,” “Miley,” “Heaven,” and the aforementioned, brilliantly executed “Typical Ways” to pump up the crowd even more. One thing is for sure: I am never missing another CULTURE WARS live show as long as they keep touring. It fully convinced me that stepping out of our comfort zones (musical or otherwise) is an experience that is always worth it.
Culture Wars
Text and photos by Michelle R.
