REVIEW: DC Gives Wallows a Well-Deserved Celebration of ‘Model’ at All Things Go
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY GIGI KANG ☆
Photo By John Cotter
THE FINAL SHOW OF THE MODEL & MORE TOUR—was the passionate send-off that Wallows deserved. Dylan Minnette, Braeden Lemasters, and Cole Preston embarked on their Model tour on August 6, 2024 in Portland. Over the past year, the tour, the album, and the More EP brought a surge of support to the band. On September 27, they concluded the Model & More tour at All Things Go festival in DC.
The audience was roaring and fans were teary-eyed from start to end. Throughout the show, Wallows showed their appreciation for the enthusiastic crowd like when Minnette expressed, “Thanks for inspiring us.” At the end, he walked down to hug fans in the front row.
The start of the show was different from the non-festival dates of the tour. The band typically opens with “Do Not Wait” as they play behind a white curtain, the crowd seeing only their silhouettes before a quick fall of the curtain brings a burst of light and a transition to “Your Apartment.” In DC, the first few notes of “Your Apartment” kicked off the show alongside ambient blue lighting which engulfed the outdoor Chrysalis stage. Appropriate for the festival, it was a more energetic start and just as immersive.
All Things Go saw a lot of Wallows traditions, like having the crowd lead the bridge of “OK” and playing their debut single “Pleaser” which is an eternal fan favorite. Another classic moment is when Minnette heads to drums while Preston leads “Quarterback” which is always an affectionate moment between Preston and the audience.
It started raining during “Pictures of Girls,” creating the perfect autumnal setup for “Drunk on Halloween,” which Wallows don’t play too often. Its live arrangement is notable as Danny Ferenbach brings the song’s trumpet to life in one hand while playing keys with his other. Lemasters also adds a guitar shred, making for an edgier version of the otherwise cozy song.
The most touching moment was the band’s decision to end the set with “Only Friend” off of Nothing Happens. Wrapping up the tour with one of the most nostalgic songs from their debut album was heartwarming, perhaps because that album was the reason so many of us first connected with Wallows. “Only Friend” allowed for a moment of reflection in the final few minutes of the Model & More tour. It was poignant, and the crowd was clearly feeling it.
In the past year, Wallows achieved milestones with Model like headlining the Kia Forum, Madison Square Garden, and Red Rocks. Their All Things Go set was the perfect ending to a chapter in the band’s history that generated so much love and a celebration of the album that ignited it.
All Things Go is an independent music festival based in DC, New York, and for the first time this year, Toronto. Since 2011, ardent crowds have never failed to attend the festival. Its 2025 iteration included a collaboration with Amazon Music which provided live streaming. More information about All Things Go can be found on their website.
