Wallows, a band comprised of Braeden Lemasters, Cole Preston, and Dylan Minnette, is a Los Angeles-based alt-rock band. The first time I saw the trio live was at the 2018 Voodoo Music + Arts Experience. They performed an intimate set in the Toyota Den before hitting the Wisner Stage. The next time the trio returned to New Orleans was two years later. In 2020, they played a sold-out show at the House of Blues on Valentine’s Day!
Sunday night’s show only had one opening act, a four-person band called Empath. A bit different from the sound and vibe of Wallows but nonetheless they put on an incredible performance. The noise-punk band performed a 30-minute set which included songs from their recent album, Visitor.
Wallows hit the stage at approximately 9 pm accompanied by a roaring crowd and flashing lights. Their twenty-song setlist consisted of mainly songs from their recent album (that the tour is named after), Tell Me That It’s Over. But the trio made sure to include some older fan favorites as well such as “Uncomfortable” (a single released in 2017) and “These Days” (from their 2018 Spring EP). I like how every night, the Wallows setlist is a little different. For fans that travel from state to state to see them live, it keeps them on their toes because you never know what song they’re going to perform next!
Throughout the hour-and-a-half-long set, each member switched between singing and playing various instruments – including the harmonica and tambourine. It exhibited how talented each member of the group truly is! Accompanying the trio on stage were three other musicians including a trumpet player, who added a soulful spark during their performance of “Sun Tan” before transitioning into a cover of One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful.”
One thing about Wallows fans? They know every. single. lyric. Whether they were standing in the general admission crowd or seated in the balcony, the crowd didn’t miss a beat when Minnette would point the mic towards them! When the band played their song “1980s Horror Film II,” the walls were shaking from fans screaming the lyrics back at the band!
Along with knowing all of the lyrics to every single song, fans came decked out in party decor! It happened to be Cole Preston’s (drums/vocals) birthday! Fans brought signs, birthday sashes, and party hats to help him celebrate. Toward the end of the show, Minette and Lemasters led the crowd in singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Preston before a crew member brought out a cake. After blowing out his candles, Preston poured champagne for himself and his bandmates!
After leaving the stage for a few minutes, the band came back out for an encore. Every night the band takes a fan request. Fans were ready with signs and notes in their hands for songs they wanted to hear live. Wallows ended up performing “Virtual Aerobics” per request from a fan in the front row. I loved seeing how Wallows interacted with the audience and made sure to involve their fans throughout the entire show! After the fan request, the night came to a close with an energized performance of their single “Are You Bored Yet?” which features Clairo!
Overall, Wallows and their Tell Me That It’s Over Tour was simply electric – from the energetic crowd to the technicolor lights to their upbeat tracks and their vast musical talent! I hope Wallows stops in New Orleans for their next tour and I definitely recommend catching one of their shows if they’re in your town soon.
Missed Wallows or just want to relive the night? Check out my Instagram Highlight from the show!
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