With Christmas right around the corner, Cincinnati-based pop alternative outlet The Wonderlands is looking to bring the gift of music to their home city. The five-piece will play Bogart’s with what’s labeled as a “Holiday Hangover” show. With the show being nestled right between Christmas and New Year’s Day, it’s the perfect time to be merry and joyous while enjoying some great tunes.
The Wonderlands are best described as a conglomerate of pop meshed with multiple genres. One of their biggest singles, “When I Was Younger,” showcases their ability to blend different musical styles in an innovative and catchy way. Somehow, the song manages to meld together elements of pop, folk, jazz and rock without feeling too overwhelming. The excellence in musicality is further developed in the band’s newest single, “Bloom.” This song balances upbeat pop with melodic melodies and electronic elements. It’s a sound that isn’t common or easy to craft, but The Wonderlands do it in a way that the masses will surely enjoy.
So, how is the band able to craft such enchanting songs? Well, the band was started by childhood friends Adam Steele, the band’s bass player, and Miles Jena, the band’s vocalist. This longstanding friendship has helped The Wonderlands flourish and experiment in ways that only lifelong friends can do. Members Jill Gavigan, Derek Johnson and Patrick Oakes would join as the band continued to grow.
The Wonderlands won’t be the only ones helping Cincinnatians clear their brains of the holiday fog at Bogart’s. They will also be joined by other acts such as Coastal Club, Adam Paddock and Touchdown Jesus. Each of these acts has a pop and alternative edge to them, so if you’re a fan of that this is definitely the show for you.
The Wonderlands play Bogart’s on Dec. 28 at 6 p.m. More info: bogarts.com.
This story is featured in CityBeat’s Dec. 11 print edition.
This article appears in Dec 11-24, 2024.