Wallows Hosts a ‘Model’ Performance at Huntington Bank Pavilion

Wallows proved their ability to draw a crowd on a holiday at Northerly Island Sept. 2. with the arrival of their “Model” world tour.

The indie pop trio set up a home away from home on stage — a real life version of the living room in their ‘Model’ album cover — at Huntington Bank Pavilion.

New Zealand-born singer Benee opened for the group. Her hit song “Supalonely” dominated TikTok in 2020, becoming the unofficial soundtrack of the Gen-Z lockdown experience, according to Variety. Her vibrant, whimsical sound came to life during her nine-song set list which included the debut of a new track.

“Sad Boiii,” hooked listeners right from the start with its dreamy guitar strums. Benee’s malcontent lyrics about a boy who falls short of her mental image of him are upheld by a steady rhythm. The audience burst into cheers for “Supalonely,” which closed out her opening set.

When it was time for Wallows to take the stage, the momentum of the crowd’s excitement reached its tipping point — evident from their exhilarant screams. 

The band’s silhouette appeared across the stage curtain as co-lead singer Dylan Minnette belted an abridged rendition of their song “Do Not Wait” off their 2019 album “Nothing Happens.”

Their figures were distorted into a sea of golden strobe light, and the fall of the curtain ignited the buoyant intro for “Your Apartment,” the opening track of their most recent record, “Model.”

Donning variations of denim, graphic tees and glittered guitars, the band was a perfect distillation of the indie music scene.

The trio smoothly transitioned into “Anytime, Always.” Minnette took a moment before the song’s bridge to welcome the crowd to the Model tour.

“Let’s have the best night we possibly can,” Minnette said.

The punchy intro to “Scrawny” followed — the lighthearted track speaks of self-deprecation and feeling like a wannabe, or, a “scrawny motherfucker with a cool hairstyle.”

Minnette and band members Braeden Lemasters and Cole Preston reminisced about previous Chicago shows during the set. 

“The first time we ever played in Chicago, technically, was in 2013,” Minnette said. “Braeden, Cole and I were in a band called ‘The Fever’ and we like, paid to play at House of Blues or something — we thought it was the coolest shit ever.”

Lemasters also spoke of his love for “The Windy City,” claiming Chicago as one of his favorite places in the world. Later, he asked the audience where he could find the best deep dish pizza in the city.

Each member of the band flaunted their musical versatility. Preston took over for lead vocals on “Quarterback”, an outstanding bedroom-pop melody from their 2021 EP “Remote.” 

Reclaiming their original positions on stage, the trio moved through the set into “Bad Dream,” a ballad that pleads to know what’s going on in a lover’s head as they toss and turn at night. The screen behind them displayed a fiery sunset outside a living room window, lighting up the stage.

Next was “At the End of the Day,” a welcome contrast to the group’s signature guitar melodies. Lemasters sang about not knowing if time is running out on a fragile relationship.

The arena was filled with euphoric bliss during “Uncomfortable.” The song drew out an anthemic guitar melody and the echo of thought-provoking lyrics shouted back from the crowd, bringing about a momentary state of serenity.

While most artists opt to head towards B-stage through a carefully selected and barricaded path, Wallows chose to embrace the up-close-and-togetherness of standing room general admission. 

Minnette was an eye in the storm of chaos while he made his way through the screaming mass of fans.

Minnette pleaded for a connection during “She’s an Actress” while fans screamed, “I love you!” into the microphone.

The frenzy settled once the band arrived at B-stage — the Chicago skyline as their backdrop. The trio paused after audio interference cut through their acoustic rendition of “Only Friend.”

“Honestly, guys, I just wanted to sit closer to Cole,” Minnette said jokingly as he adjusted his seating closer to the receiver.

The band returned to the main stage after “Drunk on Halloween,” bringing the energy back up with “Going Under” — a vocal highlight from the group.

As the scheduled show closed, the encore kicked off with a surprise — the long-awaited debut of their song “Sun Tan.”

The shrieks of joy elicited by the song’s inclusion amplified tenfold when the band blended One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful” into the tail end of the tune.

The encore continued with “Are You Bored Yet?” and, although the night was nearing its end, the crowd’s enthusiasm was not. 

The set ended with “Only Ecstasy,” a fitting tune for a night which transformed Northerly Island into melodic-heaven.

The band waved goodnight to the crowd and promised to return soon as they left the stage, thanking the crowd as they did.