At the tail-end of their first arena tour, Wallows stopped by San Diego State’s CalCoast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. Dylan Minnette, Braeden Lemasters, and Cole Preston met fans on their way to class, offering to take photos and sign autographs on notebooks. Approachability, whether in-person or through their music, is one of the most enticing factors of the band. With the day coming to a close and the sunset blanketing the amphitheater in its hazy rays, fans piled into their seats excited to be invited into Wallows’ apartment.

From behind the drawn curtain concealing the stage, a bright light created a shadow effect that displayed the outline of Minnette. Heavy synths and a breezy guitar begged to interact with the crowd. “Do not wait/Do not wait/Do not wait/I’ll be there/I’ll be there/I’ll be there/I’ll be there” warmly encompassed the amphitheater; Lemasters and Preston appeared as shadowy figures besides Minnette, as flickered lighting created a montage-like effect. As the song climbed to its peak, Lemasters changed the pace by playing the opening riff to their song “Your Apartment” off of their new album, Model. The curtain fell and exposed the band to the crowd as Minnette began to sing the opening verse, guiding the audience gently into a memory of his. Their fans, eyes locked with the band members, recited each word as if it was a memory of their own.

Throughout the night, it was clear that Wallows knew their fan base like none other. During a section of their set, which the band referred to as “storytime”, they moved into the center of the stage and sat in a circle underneath a few dimly lit lamps. The layout gave the feel of an intimate venue despite the crowd of nearly five thousand. They began to play a few throwbacks and deep cuts, including “That’s What I Get” from their sophomore album, Tell Me That It’s Over. As Lemasters softly sings “I can spell it out/Heart on my sleeve”, it’s clear that’s what Wallows has done all along. The emotional transparency that seeps through the lyrics easily captures the audience's attention and pulls them in for another listen. The stripped-down set showcased the seamlessness between the bandmates themselves, proving why fans are drawn to their sound.  

To finish their set, Wallows played a run of hits, including crowd-pleasers “Remember When” and “Are You Bored Yet?”. Minnette, confident in his abilities to direct a crowd, asked them to “Make every second count” and to “Go as hard as you can!”. “Only Friend” acted as a closer for the night despite being the opening track for their debut album, Nothing Happens. The opening guitar riff, an essential component of this generation’s coming-of-age soundtrack, cycled throughout the song; it served as a gentle reminder for listeners to keep in touch with their roots but to be wary of allowing the past to hinder their future. The first leg of the Model Tour has come to a close but members have hinted at a subsequent second leg. Either way, look out for any pop-ups throughout the year for a chance to interact with Wallows or to catch an intimate show!

Review & Photos by: Katie Romo

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