Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (San Francisco, CA)
09/08/24
Following the release of their third studio album, Model, earlier this year, indie-rock band Wallows embarked on the “Model” tour, stopping in San Francisco to play Bill Graham Civic Auditorium at the tail end of the tour. Consisting of Dylan Minnette (guitar/vocals), Braeden Lemasters (guitar/vocals), and Cole Preston (drums), the band brought their signature fusion of emotional depth and upbeat indie-pop to the venue. The trio from Los Angeles has their fair share of dedicated fans, with many along the barricade eagerly awaiting the show since the morning, and with the rest of the floor packed, the anticipation in the crowd was palpable.
The show started with the stage hidden behind a white curtain, and the music started with “Do Not Wait” as the band’s silhouettes flashed across the curtain created by the strobes behind them. As the song built to the chorus with Dylan singing, “Do not wait,” (x3) “I’ll be there,” (x3) and the anticipation in the crowd peaking, the curtain finally dropped to reveal the stage and a backdrop similar to the album art for Model. The band transitioned to the opening track from the record, “Your Apartment,” and the show kicked off in earnest. The show featured eight tracks from their newest record throughout the night, and older tracks filled out the rest of their 23-song set. Dylan and Braeden’s vocals paired with their guitar work and Cole’s steady drumming kept the crowd locked in from the first note.
Continuing the night with songs like “Anytime, Always” from Model, “At the End of the Day” from their 2022 album, Tell Me That It’s Over, and “Scrawny” from their 2019 debut album, Nothing Happens, the crowd sang along to every word. The trio proved to be versatile musicians, with Dylan and Braeden switching back and forth on lead vocals frequently, Cole playing the keyboard during the B-stage set, and Dylan and Cole switching roles during “Quarterback” as Dylan took over the drums and Cole took over the guitar and vocals, much to the fans’ delight. Dynamic staging kept fans visually engaged, with multiple backdrop and lighting changes, until a final reveal of a massive, lit-up “WALLOWS” sign.
A standout feature of the performance was the B-stage, tucked toward the back of the pit in front of the soundboard, which gave those in the back a close-up experience with the band as well. During a mid-set highlight, Dylan braved the crowd during “She’s an Actress,” weaving his way to the B-stage amidst cheering fans. Once on the smaller stage, Wallows delivered an intimate three-song set that felt almost like a private concert, with stripped-back performances of “Pictures of Girls” from their 2018 E.P., Spring, a 2018 single “Drunk on Halloween,” and “Only Friend from Nothing Happens offering a special moment of connection between the band and the audience. It added another layer of excitement and intimacy to the show, as fans who had gathered toward the back of the venue suddenly found themselves at the heart of the action. As Dylan and Cole made their way back to the main stage, Braeden surprised everyone by heading upstairs to the venue’s second-floor balcony. What followed was an up close and personal moment for the second floor, as he wandered through the walkways, surrounded by a group of fans who eagerly followed him. Dylan and Braeden’s direct immersion into the crowd was a testament to Wallows’ ability to keep their performances fun and unpredictable. As they are playing larger venues this tour, their addition of a B-stage, Dylan’s walk through the pit, and Braeden’s balcony walk brought the intimacy of smaller venues and heightened the feeling that Wallows’ shows are as much about community and shared experience as they are about the music.
As Braeden returned to the main stage for the final act, the crowd geared up for the last five songs of the night. Starting with a fan-favorite, “Pleaser,” the first song the trio released as Wallows in 2017, the energy in the crowd soared. After a sampling of one song from each of their three albums, the band closed the night with an encore song, their hit track, “Are You Bored Yet?” from Nothing Happens, with the crowd singing back every word. Wallows has developed a devoted fanbase over the years and it is clear why, with their commitment to the live show and connecting with their fans.
