On a humid summer evening, guests lined up around the block, waiting for doors to open at Wallows’ first of two shows at MGM Music Hall Fenway. Many fans traded friendship bracelets with song titles on them. At 6:30 pm sharp, almost everyone hopped in line at the merchandise stands, extending the line up 4 flights of stairs. Unresistable cutesy and nostalgic designs lined the tables. There were shirts featuring the Wallows’ name and image, a design featuring a teddy bear holding up stars, a pink cowboy lamb, and a unicorn design for BENEE. The energy was high, with groups of fans singing along to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please” on the preshow playlist and guessing which 3 songs Wallows would perform mid-setlist as they are a surprise each show.
In 2017, Dylan Minnette, Braeden Lemasters, and Cole Preston teamed up to release music under the moniker Wallows. Their debut album, Nothing Happens (2019), established them as an indie bedroom rock powerhouse with the platinum single “Are You Bored Yet? (feat. Clairo)” becoming one of their many viral hits to come. With the release of their third studio album, Model (2024), Wallows embarked on their most extensive tour to date, hitting theaters and arenas across North America and Europe. Support for the show is New Zealand native BENEE, whose second EP, Stella & Steve (2019), achieved international success after the single “Supalonely” took social media by storm. Together, this duo makes its anticipated return to touring after each completed a successful run of headlining shows in 2022. The Model Tour enables fans to experience BENEE and Wallows’ artistry and new music on the same night.
BENEE set the electric tone for the evening, playing an array of dreamy alt-pop songs. She frequently posed during each song, throwing up hand hearts, duck lips, and playful side-eye. The depth of the instrumentals complimented her strong and resonant voice. She bounced around the stage in pigtail braids, a graphic zip-up hoodie, a jean skirt, a chain belt with a cheetah beanie boo keychain, and chunky baby blue moon boots. She stopped between songs to wave at the crowd and put on different accents. In a southern accent, she complimented Boston for “being so cute right now” before returning to her powerful vocal performance.
She performed in front of a backdrop that spelled out her name with cheeky graphics inside each letter, like dental teeth models, dogs running with their tongues out, and snakes flying in the sky. BENEE then embarked on an upbeat tropical-inspired new song called “Sad Boiii,” infusing energy into the venue. The catchy melody left fans craving her second album, which is expected to be released later this year. BENEE finished her set strong, thanked everyone for coming, and skipped off behind the stage.
Soon, the crowd began to buzz with excitement for Wallows’ arrival as a black curtain with the band name spread across the stage and “Mean Girl” by Charli xcx played. Cheers erupted when the lights dimmed, and the band began to sing “Do Not Wait,” silhouetted from behind the curtain. Wallows immediately commanded the room and confidently strutted around the stage when the curtain dropped. The trio wore jeans and varying t-shirts: Minnette in a cropped white graphic number, Lemasters in dark blue, and Preston in red. Wallows unexpectedly played one of the singles from Model titled “Your Apartment,” as the second song of the night, uniting the crowd. The band transitioned between songs by chatting with the audience. Lemasters recalled how the band had a day out in Boston yesterday and shared his opinion on the city: “amazing food, amazing streets, and amazing shops.” Notably, each member alternated singing lead and wielding an instrument, a testament to their versatility and musical talents.
During “She’s An Actress,” Minnette dipped behind the stage and walked into the crowd on the floor. Fans shrieked with excitement, respecting a circle of space around the singer as he journeyed through the pit and back to the stage. The trio then huddled around acoustic instruments to play the 3 surprise songs of the night, creating an intimate feeling in the venue. They first played “Let The Sun In” from their 2018 Spring EP and revealed that the setlist for their second night in Boston was “very different” before starting to play “OK.” The final surprise song of the evening was “Ice Cold Pool,” and it “was not planned.” Deafening cheers erupted at the announcement of the fan-favorite song. Those who were live-posting about the event triggered a series of reactions on X.com from fans experiencing FOMO. When the trio returned to the full production setup after the surprise songs, Lemasters delivered raspy and edgy vocals for “Going Under.” The band returned once more to perform a two-song encore, waving to the crowd, throwing up hand hearts, and giving out drumsticks before leaving the stage for the final time during “Only Ecstasy.”
Wallows took full advantage of the production elements available for live music. They strategically utilized the backdrop depending on the song, alternating between the room on the cover of Model a beautiful sunset, sparkling fairy lights, and their band logo. The setlists were a curated sampling of each act’s best work, displaying their range and catchiness. BENEE and Wallows’ instrumentation and crowd engagement fostered personal connections with the audience they won’t soon forget. If you haven’t already, make sure to catch BENEE and Wallows live before the Model Tour concludes in Europe this fall. Buy tickets here.
Check out all of Samantha’s photos from the show below.
