Indie band Wilderado will stop in St. Louis on Oct. 5 at Delmar Hall as part of their fall “Talker” tour. The band’s signature indie-rock, Americana and alternative sound blends with Wilderado’s melodies and lyrics that express change and identity. The Tulsa-based group formed when members Max Rainer (lead vocals, guitar) and Tyler Wimpee (guitar, vocals) began writing songs together in college. That time of uncertainty and transition inspired their early sound that incorporated those same themes, which continues through their discography.
The band recorded “Talker” in Norman, Oklahoma with producers Chad Copelin and James McAllister. After returning from 265 days on the road in 2022 with the band Flipturn, Rainer said the group questioned whether to continue, according to an interview with Atwood Magazine. “We were a bit more broken and fragile than any of us really understood,” Rainer said. He added that the band began the record by asking, “Do we want to do this anymore?” That reflection informed the making of “Talker,” which Rainer said “feels like home and weathers who we are.”
The band’s number one song on Spotify, “Surefire,” was inspired by Tabitha King’s poem “A Gradual Canticle for Augustine,” which highlights themes of resilience and identity that connect with listeners.
Wilderado has continued building a reputation for live performances over the course of the band’s career. The group has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live and toured with artists such as Lindsey Buckingham, the Lumineers and Rainbow Kitten Surprise, adapting its sound for different audiences.
For college students, Wilderado’s music offers a way to reflect on the strange early-adulthood stage of life where new experiences and growth are prominent. The upcoming show at Delmar Hall provides an opportunity for St. Louis and Saint Louis University fans alike to experience the band’s immersive sound.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $25 for advanced sales and $30 the day of the show.
