Ever since their debut album “Nothing Happens” in 2019, Indie-pop band Wallows have been on a rise to the top and have easily solidified themselves as one of the best indie groups to come out of the States in recent years. The trio consists of lifelong friends Dylan Minnette, Braeden Lemasters and Cole Preston, Wallows also released a string of successful EPs both before and after their debut album release and most recently released their long-awaited second studio album “Tell me that it’s over” in March 2022. After being a long-time fan of Wallows, it has been personally incredible to finally see the lads getting the credit they deserve over here in the UK, after having phenomenal performances at the UK’s Reading & Leeds festival last year it really brought the band into the attention of the UK audience and this more-than showed in the sell-out UK tour that Wallows now find themselves in. Wallows made their great return to Manchester to play just next-door to the venue they previously sold out in 2019 and kicked off the Manchester Academy’s first gig of the year with a super special show. Support for the night came from May-A.
After the crowd had been warmed up from the incredible May-A, the Wallows lads took to the stage to an electric crowd and this was just the beginning. All three of the members received resounding screams from the packed-out Manchester crowd and the boys got the night off to a flying start with powerhouse tracks “I don’t want to talk” and “Remember When” kicking off the night in phenomenal fashion. As the night went on, both Dylan Minnette and Braeden sang their praises to Manchester and explained how happy they were to return to the city, early spoilers too, Dylan would go on after the show and take to Instagram to say that the Manchester show was one of his favourites ever! Throughout the night Wallows took the crowd on a journey through both of their studio albums and the several EPs that took them to their fame and it was a true dive into their spectacular discography. Fan favourites like “OK”, “Scrawny” and “1980s Horror Film” were clearly highlights of the night for many in the room and made it feel like the roof was about blow off of the Academy venue. I anticipated early that the finale song would be the infamous Wallows classic “Are you bored yet?” and knew it would be the song that many had been dieing to see but nothing could’ve prepared me for the reaction that this song brought. It was truly mind-blowing and the perfect way to end a perfect night.
Setlist
I don’t want to talk
Remember when
These days
Especially you
Pleaser
Treacherous Doctor
Missing Out
Sun Tan
Quarterback
OK
Pictures of girls
WISH ME LUCK
1980s Horror Film
Hard To Believe
Only Friend
Marvelous
Just Like a Movie
Scrawny
Guitar Romantic Search Adventure
I’m Full
Are you bored yet?
WALLOWS
Photos + Review by Lewis Roberts | Exclusively for Music, Why Not!
