1. Wallows has experienced a glow up.
At the top of the show, guitarist Dylan Minnette revealed this was Wallows’ second time “playing a proper show” in Vegas. Judging by the way the band cruised through its set, you’d think they were regulars.
Looking the part of a trio of U.K. heartthrobs, all shaggy manes and wiry frames, Wallows filled every inch of the 40,000-square-foot Chelsea with its breezy bedroom pop, conjuring grand moments with the help of trumpets, synths and intimate team-ups (more on that later).
Minnette, who some might recognize as the actor from Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why and 2022’s Scream, charmed the masses with his stage presence, his body language unconsciously acting out the music in the most beguiling way possible. During “She’s an Actress,” he did the unthinkable, hopping directly into the sardine-packed crowd, leading a procession of fans in his wake as he performed the entire song in their midst. Guitarist Braeden Lemasters later followed suit, giving fans a rare and up-close experience with their favorite band that folks in an arena could only dream of.
Not to be outdone, Cole Preston left his mantle at the drum kit to play “Quarterback,” to the delight of fans hoping to get a closer look at their favorite timekeeper. Together, their harmonies prove why they’ve worked so well, since 2017.
2. Gen Z are keeping the concert signs alive.
As we surveyed the giddy audience crowding near the front of The Chelsea's stage, we couldn’t help but notice the fan signs wielded by Gen Z'rs. These hand-scrawled posters, held up with the anticipation of the band members reading their message of pure, unfiltered fandom, is a refreshing reminder that people still want to connect with their favorite music makers beyond the screen. And when the lights dimmed down and Wallows rushed on, those signs bobbed up and down, synchronous with the band.
Collective jumping could be felt throughout the venue, from the GA standing room to the surrounding seating sections—the frequency was enough to stop guitarist Minnette. He took a moment to comment, “It’s bouncy up here… never felt that before,” Minnette confessed. “If I’m not feeling the stage move, I’m gonna be disappointed.” If the future of concert culture is in Gen Z’s hands, there’s nothing to worry about, so far it's dedicated, alive and kicking.
3. They brought the bedroom jam.
During Minnette’s crowd-level serenade, the band’s roadies busied themselves transforming the stage into an intimate bedroom-like space. Picture this: a standing lamp casting its warm glow, a Persian rug grounding the scene, and three seats for the original trio. To tie it all together was an extended twinkling backdrop that set the perfect vibe for the tender-hearted tracks “Let the Sun in” and “Pictures of Girls.” Minnette reminisced about how the set up mirrored Preston’s bedroom, where they had penned the 2018 single “Drunk on Halloween.” It was a nostalgic nod and glimpse into the band’s humble beginnings, turning the massive venue into a cozy jam session and we were transported to that special moment of Wallows history.
