Wallows kickstarted the UK leg of their Model Tour at the O2 Academy Birmingham on Monday 14th October. Their return to the UK after over a year, combined with the release of their third album, Model, earlier this year, made this show a highly anticipated event. After years of listening to Wallows and having the 12 tracks from their new album on repeat since its May release, I was excited to finally experience Wallows live. The night radiated with a special magic and energy, as Wallows drew the audience into an intimate, unforgettable experience, making everyone feel deeply connected. 

Excitement and anticipation radiated from the crowd of twenty-somethings eagerly waiting in line to be let in. Flashes from digital cameras illuminated the trendy, carefully curated outfits, as fans channelled the same indie-rock vibe encapsulated by Wallows. Slicked-back ponytails, plaits with ribbons, leather jackets and mesh tops filled the crowd. As the doors opened at seven, waves of fans danced their way into the venue, eyes drawn to the stage where Dylan Minnette, Braeden Lemasters and Cole Preston would soon perform.

As the clock neared 8:30, the crowd began to quiet down in eager anticipation. The house lights suddenly dimmed, as the stage lights began to flash in time with the beat of the guitar, filling the room with a vibrant energy. With the sudden beat of drums, Dylan, Braeden and Cole burst onto the stage, igniting the crowd into an explosion of screams and cheers as Wallows launched their show with ‘Your Apartment’, the opening track from their new album.

With Dylan and Braeden on guitar and vocals, and Cole drumming energetically at the back, fans bounced and danced to the opening song, singing every lyric. The song was the perfect opener, instantly creating an atmosphere of energy and magic that encapsulated the essence of Wallows as a band. Wallows’ seamless transition to ‘Calling After Me’ plunged the crowd into an immersive experience, with fans passionately singing every word, relating to ‘But I know that you’re calling after me’ as Dylan iconically pointed the microphone towards the crowd to join in.

Taking a break from their new album, Dylan introduced the band, reminiscing on the last time they performed in Birmingham and expressing their gratitude to both new and longtime fans. As Braeden strummed the guitar for ‘Pleaser’, Dylan encouraged fans to ‘go back to the beginning’, playing the first song they ever released back in April 2017. Unsurprisingly, every fan knew every word, collectively chanting the ‘oh, oh, oh, oh’ section towards the end of the song, prompting Dylan to remove his in-ears to fully hear the audience. Watching everyone sing together fostered a close-knit atmosphere, allowing fans to express their love for the band.

Dylan’s drum solo towards the end of the song prompted an eruption of cheers from fans.

Energy and excitement erupted throughout the crowd as Wallows performed their iconic song ‘Quarterback’, sending 2000 fans bouncing up and down in unison to the infectious energy of the track. Dylan’s drum solo towards the end of the song prompted an eruption of cheers from fans. Giving fans a moment to catch their breath, Wallows played their slower track from the new album, ‘Bad Dreams’.

The audience swayed back and forth to the rhythm, singing the lyrics ‘are you having a bad dream baby’ in unison. Transitioning seamlessly into ‘These Days’, Wallows encouraged fans to clap along in rhythm as the drums and backing music faded, leaving only the enchanting sound of clapping and 2000 voices echoing through the room as they sang the final chorus. This intimacy, created by letting the crowd sing without any accompanying music, fostered a magical connection that united everyone in the venue.

Introducing their song ‘You’ from the new album, Dylan created a special bond between the fans and band as he continued to repeat ‘It’s you Birmingham’. This close bond was further encapsulated during the performance of ‘At the End of the Day’ as the songs nostalgia prompted fans to put their arms around each other and sway in unison.

The atmosphere shifted as the beat of ‘OK’ pulsed through the venue, igniting the crowd to sing every word back. As one of the songs I had eagerly anticipated hearing live, the performance of ‘OK’ did not disappoint; Dylan’s infectious energy radiated throughout the audience. During the iconic ‘She’s An Actress’, Dylan stepped down from the stage and made his way along the barricade, interacting with fans, waving and holding hands, further enhancing the intimate connection.

The cozy, homely atmosphere fostered a deep connection between fans and the band, especially during the performance of ‘Pictures of Girls’…

Magic, nostalgic and intimacy enveloped the venue as lamps and a starry backdrop appeared on stage, casting a warm, dim, yellow light that bathed the stage in a cozy glow, reminiscent of the living room featured on the Model album cover. As crew members exited, only Dylan, Cole and Braeden remained, sitting down to perform three songs together with the audience. 

The cozy, homely atmosphere fostered a deep connection between fans and the band, especially during the performance of ‘Pictures of Girls’ as fans enthusiastically echoed ‘You should be down in Hollywood’. The transition to ‘Let the Sun In’ filled the room with a palpable sense of love as fans swayed in unison, singing ‘Oh it’s love, oh its love’. As this intimate segment of the show concluded with ‘1980s Horror film’, Braeden playfully asked the crowd if anyone was named Jamie. When screams erupted in response, he pointed at them throughout the song, forging a special bond between the audience and the band. Adding to the intimacy, Cole suddenly appeared on the balcony, engaging with fans as he sang ‘World Apart’. 

Energy emerged throughout the room as Wallows performed ‘Anytime, Always’, ‘Scrawny’, ‘Remember When’ and ‘I Don’t Want to Talk’, each exuding its own unique vibe. One unforgettable moment was when 2000 fans sung at the top of their lungs, ‘Scrawny motherfucker with a cool hairstyle’ during the iconic ‘Scrawny’. Tricking the crowd into believing it’s the final song, Dylan urged everyone to “go as crazy as you can” while he played the harmonica to the end of ‘I Don’t Want To Talk’. As the trio walked off stage, they expressed their gratitude over the loud applause and cheers. 

The entire room erupted as fans screamed every lyric to Wallows’ iconic hit, ‘Are You Bored Yet?’

As the chanting ‘one more song’ echoed throughout the venue, Wallows returned to perform the night’s most highly anticipated track. The entire room erupted as fans screamed every lyric to Wallows’ iconic hit, ‘Are You Bored Yet?’, especially when Dylan invited the audience to take the spotlight for Clairo’s verse, creating an atmosphere of pure energy and magic. Ending the show, Dylan, Cole and Braeden thanked the crowd and emphasised their gratitude, throwing guitar picks and setlists into the crowd, before launching into ‘Only Ecstasy’, a fitting finale that captured the essence of what it means to be a Wallows fan.

Wallows truly created such a special, magical and comfortable atmosphere, connecting deeply with fans through an intimate experience. Dylan, Cole and Braeden were truly born to be on stage, as they ensured that every audience member felt included in the performance. Their boundless energy, magic and intimacy never dipped throughout the entire set, perfectly encapsulating what it means to be a Wallows fan. This concert marked a flawless launch to the UK leg of their Model Tour. I am incredibly grateful to have experienced this unforgettable night and eagerly anticipate what Wallows have in store for the future.

---

Enjoyed this? You might also like:

Live Review: Wunderhorse

Album Review: Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess

Redbrick Meets: Moon Fever