Wallows returned to the Twin Cities for their “Model & More Tour” on Feb. 8 at the Armory in Minneapolis, maintaining their status as an indie rock band who has found their sound and rolled with it.
Alt-pop singer Deb Never opened the concert with day-dreamy melodies and reverberating guitar riffs, complementing the Wallows’ music with songs like “Coca Cola” and “Disassociate.” Deb Never previously opened for the likes of Dominic Fike and Omar Apollo, artists comparable to the indie-rock sound of Wallows.
Minutes after Never exited the stage, a black tapestry with “Wallows” in white lettering dropped, coinciding with the screams of fans. Anticipation itched in the crowded general admission pit of the Armory until the tapestry dropped, revealing a white sheet behind it. As Wallows began playing their song “Do Not Wait,” the silhouettes of band members Dylan Minnette, Braeden Lemasters and Cole Preston appeared, foreshadowing what the audience would soon come to understand: this performance would be larger than life.
After “Do Not Wait,” the curtain dropped to reveal the band playing “Your Apartment,” the upbeat, danceable opener from their most recent album “Model.” Wallows doesn’t fall into the trap of reinvention. They own their sound and lean into what audiences already know and love. Their setlist comprised hits spanning nearly every release since their debut single “Pleaser” in 2017, with a third of the performance dedicated to their album “Model.”
Wallows proceeded to take fans through a journey of their past eight years of music, flawlessly traversing through hits and hidden gems. Songs like “Anytime Always,” “Quarterback” and “These Days” have become recognizable as some of Wallows’ greatest hits, and Wallows lived up to their hype, sounding just as good as their recordings but with additional spunk and energy. The first segment of their set introduced fans to “Your New Favorite Song” from their yet-to-be-released EP. The song blended seamlessly with the rest of their music.
The band then migrated to the B stage for an acoustic segment of the concert they affectionately coined the “campfire set,” which included the songs, “Pictures of Girls,” “That’s What I Get” and “1980s Horror Film.” Planted amid the crowd, the band felt down-to-earth, serenading the audience with soft acoustic guitar that complemented this set of mellow songs.
Back at the main stage, Wallows performed fan favorites like their debut single “Pleaser,” “Remember When” from their debut album “Nothing Happens” and “I Don’t Want to Talk.” This series of songs energized the already pumped-up crowd with upbeat drums and catchy, well-known lyrics.
Over the course of the concert, both Minnette and Lemasters entered the audience, belting lyrics in unison with fans as they traversed the expansive general admission pit. Part of the joy of Wallows lies in their ability to connect with fans – the joy they get from performing transfers to the audience, especially when the band members get down to the audience’s level. Returning to the stage for the encore, Wallows played their hit “Are You Bored Yet?”, ending the night on a high as the band encouraged the audience to jump and let loose to a song that encapsulates their bright sound paired with feelings of nostalgia and navigating coming of age. Wallows maintains their status as a Gen Z staple, blending nihilism, authenticity and fun. Look out for more from Wallows throughout 2025, as their EP “More” releases March 28, which includes the Jan. 10 release “Your New Favorite Song,” and as tour dates continue through the summer. If you’re not already a fan, Wallows has a treasure trove of a discography to discover – who knows, you might just find your new favorite song.
