Artist Spotlight: Wednesday

By: Erin St. Denis

On March 31, the indie-rock band Wednesday brought their unique sound to Asbury Hall in Buffalo, NY. For those who missed them, here's a look at the group and where to catch them next:

Wednesday is a self-proclaimed "creek-rock" band formed in 2017 in Asheville, NC. The band is made up of Karly Hartzman on lead vocals and guitar, Alan Miller on drums, Xandy Chelmis on pedal steel, lap steel and backing vocals, Ethan Baechtold on bass guitar and MJ Lenderman on lead guitar and backing vocals.

A change in the band will be seen on their current "Bleeds" tour with Lenderman leaving the touring group in Feb. 2025 but still working with the band in the studio. This news comes after Lenderman revealed that he and Hartzman had ended their long-term relationship and as he finds fame as a solo artist. Jake "Spyder" Pugh will be substituting for Lenderman on the "Bleeds" tour.

Karly Hartzman at Golden Plains Sweet Sixteen on March 10, 2024 (Photo: Eloise Coomber)

Hartzman started Wednesday as a solo project but by the release of their first studio album in 2018 "yep definitely," the band had expanded to a duo project. The band had five members in 2020 when their second studio album "I Was Trying to Describe You to Someone" was released. Following this album, Lenderman joined as a full-time member for the recording and release of "Twin Plagues," the bands fourth album which was released in 2021. After joining a new label, Dead Oceans, Wednesday released their fifth album "Rat Saw God". Most recently, "Bleeds", was released in Sept. 2025 which expanded their sound to a softer rock genre.

"Bleeds" was met with high critical acclaim following its release. Pitchfork rated the album an 8.7/10 and NPR named it one of the best albums of 2025. The album follows the quiet breakup of Lenderman and Hartzman with songs like "The Way Love Goes" and a pseudo love song "Elderberry Wine" beginning with the lyrics "sweet song is a long con", setting the tone for the rest of the song and album.

MJ Lenderman at The Factory Theatre on Feb. 29, 2024 (Photo: Peter Dovgan)

Wednesday is on the road finishing up their "Bleeds" US tour before hitting Canada and some other international shows. The rest of their headlining shows in North America include:

April 4 at Orange Peel, Asheville, NC

April 5 at Ramkat, Winston-Salem, NC

April 10 at Coachella, Indio, CA

April 17 at Coachella, Indio, CA

April 21 at Revolution Hall, Portland, OR

April 22 at Revolution Hall, Portland, OR

April 23 at The Moore, Seattle, WA

April 24 at Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, BC

Wednesday will also be supporting Ethel Cain on April 14 at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Par in San Diego, CA as well as Bleachers on June 23 at CMAC in Canandaigua, NY.