Warpaint collaborates with Kurt Vile, takes command of crowd at Union Transfer

With lush brushstrokes of rock, pop and punk, Warpaint took command of a sold-out Union Transfer on Saturday. The Los Angeles four-piece were performing in support of their 2014 self-titled second LP and had the Philly crowd swaying, cheering and even crowd-surfing.

Driven by a heady mix of vocals that often played second fiddle to guitar and percussion, the four women of Warpaint transfixed the audience. Emily Kokal and Theresa Wayman traded lead vocals and guitars while Jenny Lee Lindberg’s bass and backing vocals and the drumming of Stella Mozgawa round out the sound. Kokal and her snakelike dancing mixed with the deep red and blue lights dominated the visual pow of the show. And from the masterful tack “Undertow” from their first album The Fool, which was neatly nestled in the 14-song setlist, to the main set closer “Disco//Very,” Warpaint were having a love affair with the Philly crowd.

A long encore break was broken by the special guest appearance of Kurt Vile, sheepishly hiding at the drumkit, to sing with Kokal on the song “Baby” — a highlight among many for the night, as Warpaint concluded with “Bees” and “Elephants.” Never short on atmospherics and visual panache, Warpaint conquered the City of Brotherly Love for what will certainly not be the last time.