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Wallows Model Tour in Phoenix
The Wallows Model Tour in Phoenix wasn’t just a concert. It was a party in their living room and we were all invited. They stopped by the Arizona Financial Theatre on August 12th and I was not prepared! From the acoustic living room set to the powerhouse encore, they brought their moody charm and brilliant talent to the desert and did not disappoint.
Benee warms up the crowd.
The 24-year-old New Zealand pop sensation was not a fan of the desert heat, but she successfully got the party started. Benee kicked off her moody ten-song set with “Kool” from her debut album. The backdrop sporting her name in large, vibrant letters is a compliment to her signature black and green fit paired with white Moon Boots and skirt charms. Her unique style is reminiscent of Billie Eilish as she introduces her newest single “Sad Boiii”. She was playfully interacting with the audience between songs by pointing to fans and echoing their fangirl screams. Questioning how do we “walk in the desert, swim in the desert, talk in the desert” because it’s so damn hot! She ends on a high with her feisty bop “Green Honda”, and closing out with the the viral TikTok sensation “Supalonely”. Benee is not only talented vocally and lyrically, but she has an energetic yet unique authenticity that sets a lively tone for the rest of the evening.
Who are Wallows?
Wallows is an LA based, American alt/indie rock band that consists of Dylan Minnette, Braeden Lemasters and Cole Preston. The band was formed back in 2011 as Feaver, then later changed to The Narwhals, which also included their friend Zack Mendenhall. They settled on the name Wallows in 2017 which was inspired by a skate location used in a Tony Hawk video game. By this time Zack had left the band, and they’ve remained a trio ever since.
In 2018 they signed with Atlantic Records and have released two major EP’s (Spring 2018, Remote 2020) and three LP’s (Nothing Happens 2019, Tell Me That It’s Over 2022, Model 2024). They started out playing and selling out at famous local LA venues such as the Troubadour and The Roxy. Their first major performance was at Warped Tour 2011, and have since been on three headlining tours between 2019 and today. Even stopping for a performance at Coachella in 2022. They are currently on their highly anticipated worldwide Model tour, which includes the singles “Your Apartment”, “Calling After Me”, “Bad Dream” and “A Warning”.
Wallows brings Model to life.
Wallows Model in Phoenix, lets go. Their name appears in bold, white font across the stage curtain. Hundreds of fans begin to scream with anticipation. The stage lights come on, but the curtain remains with only silhouettes visible. Dylan’s hypnotic voice begins to spill through the speakers with an acoustic version of “Do Not Wait”. The curtain finally drops but the band stops playing. Braeden’s guitar wasn’t working but it wasn’t long before they burst into Model’s first track, “Your Apartment”.
The beginning of the set starts off strong with another Model track, “Anytime, Always”. Followed by the shamelessly authentic bop “Scrawny” from their debut album. Cole takes lead on “Don’t You Think It’s Strange?”; adding a cheeky horn during the bridge while Dylan switches from guitar to drums through “Quarterback”. The change between lead vocals and instruments just goes to show how multi-talented each of them are.
A few more songs are played from Model, “Bad Dream” and “You (She Me Where My Days Went)”, before a new backdrop appears and Dylan introduces “Canada”. A few more songs and another backdrop change and we’ve made it to the part of the show where Dylan jumps off stage, dripping with sweat, and walks through the pit while singing “She’s an Actress”. As you can imagine, everyone, boys and girls, were swooning. Dylan living in the moment and soaking in the palpable intimacy of the crowd. A sea of phone screens creating a makeshift spotlight to guide him through.
Halfway through.
As we head into the second half of the show, Dylan, Braeden and Cole move to the front and center of the stage. Set with a lamp and 3 chairs for a cozy acoustic set that includes “Pictures of Girls”, “Only Friends” and “Drunk on Halloween”. Dylan then gets the audience involved and has everyone echoing the lyrics “can we get up and try to feel okay again” as he leads “Ok”. After the acoustic breather, Braeden takes the lead for the twangy, LA vibing track “Going Under”. I wasn’t sure if this song would sound as good live, but Braeden’s vocals didn’t miss. Dylan takes a moment before “Pleaser” and thanks Benee for being part of the tour. This means we are that much closer to the end.
The backdrop changes for the last time to their name in the same bold letters we saw on the curtain at the start of the show. This time, the letter colors change as the final few songs set up the beginning of the end. The energy in the room has now reached peak levels as “Remember When” rips through the room. Between the unapologetic dancing and Dylan pulling out a harmonica during “I Don’t Want to Talk”, the room was alive!
In closing: Wallows Model Tour in Phoenix
The boys left the stage for a quick break and came back with a poetically paired encore that left you wanting more. Dylan thanked the audience and the crew before jumping into “Are You Bored Yet?”, the lead single from their debut album. And finishing with “Only Ecstasy”, the last track from their recent album, Model. A song that starts off more laid back and builds to a Hendrix-esque crescendo that blows your mind between the guitar riffs and drums.
Wallows Model Tour in Phoenix was no small production, it was a marathon. They performed an impressive 26 songs in just under three hours, almost a third of their discography, and never showed signs of stopping. From their first appearance at Warped Tour in 2011, to two major EP’s and three LP’s by 2024, they celebrate their journey with their first worldwide tour. I highly recommend grabbing yourself a ticket! Between their raspy, indie crooning, authentically relatable lyrics, impressive instrumental skills and engaging stage presence, you will not be disappointed.
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