Black Flag delivers massive double set at The Warehouse in Fairfield
As punk, metal, and hardcore fans gathered in Orlando last weekend for the Vans Warped Tour, over a thousand miles north, two of punk’s early pioneers stepped onto a much smaller stage at The Warehouse in Fairfield, Connecticut. And while I definitely had a little FOMO about not making the trip south, what I got instead was a rare chance to see Black Flag and The Queers, two of the earliest influences of modern punk.
THE QUEERS
The Queers opened the evening with founding member Joe Queer on guitar and vocals, backed by Robbie Rotten on bass and Hoglog Rehab on drums. Formed in the early ’80s in New Hampshire, the band has cycled through many lineups over the past four decades, but their core sound hasn’t changed. It is loud, upbeat and playful, choosing more neutral territory rather than the heavier anti-political, confrontational style some punk bands are known for.
After their set, the band wandered out into the crowd, getting compliments from older fans and a handful of younger fans who requested a selfie. I love standing back and watching those overlooked moments. A two-minute interaction is going to a core memory for those kids.
Fans can catch The Queers again next spring when they return to the area to support Screeching Weasel at District Music Hall on March 19 in Norwalk. Tickets are here!
BLACK FLAG
The stage reset quickly, and Black Flag wasted no time launching into their first set. Yes, their first set — the band rolled out a massive double set, and at the center of it was a jaw-dropping performance from Max Zanelly, Black Flag’s new vocalist.
Max is new to Black Flag this year, joining a refreshed lineup that also includes David Rodriguez on bass and Bryce Weston on drums, with founding member Greg Ginn anchoring the band on guitar.
Young, fierce, and absolutely in your face, Max tore through song after song with almost no pauses, spending most of the night right at the edge of the stage, leaning over the monitors and singing inches from the crowd. Just a couple of songs in, the tone for the entire evening was set.
Black Flag remains one of the rare bands whose sound and symbol — the four black bars — are instantly recognizable. It’s uncommon for a simple logo to leave this kind of mark. At this point, it represents more than just a California punk band; it’s become its own quiet movement, especially as punk and hardcore have surged back into the spotlight this year.
Their influence really is everywhere. As I tried to ease my Warped Tour FOMO by streaming the weekend’s sets, those four bars showed up again and again. During Comeback Kid’s absolutely explosive final-day performance, frontman Andrew Neufeld took the stage wearing a Black Flag shirt. Very few bands have that kind of cultural permanence.
The only thing missing from the night was the crowd size, but it was a trade-off that ended up creating a memorable experience for the young faces lining the barricade.
BLACK FLAG SETLIST
The Warehouse at FTC, Fairfield, Connecticut (11/14/2025)
SET 1
Can’t Decide
Nervous Breakdown
No Values
I’ve Had It
Wasted
Black Coffee
Six Pack
Depression
Forever Time
Swinging Man
Nothing Left Inside
F*cked Up
SET 2
I’ve Heard It Before
Revenge
Fix Me
Clocked In
Room 13
Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie
Slip It In
Jealous Again
I Can See You
Rise Above
Louie Louie
