Wallows Go Out with a Bang: A Night to Remember at War Memorial Auditorium, the Venue’s First-Ever Sold-Out-Show
February 24th, 2025 - Fort Lauderdale, FL
On the drizzly South Florida evening of February 24th, fans flooded into the cozy confines of the Fort Lauderdale War Memorial Auditorium, shaking off the chill that was in the air and ready to immerse themselves in a night of infectious alternative indie beats. The intimate venue, with its unusually small footprint, promised an up-close-and-personal encounter with the Wallows—and the sold-out crowd was buzzing with anticipation.
As the crowd settled, the floor already packed shoulder to shoulder, LA-based singer and songwriter Deb Never took the stage, bringing with her a familiar, yet exclusive, raw and grungy vibe. By the time she finished her set, the audience was hyped up and ready to see the main event.
Photo Via Instagram
Some time after Deb Never left the stage, two large tapestries fell in front of the stage, the outer being a dark fabric with the word “WALLOWS” sewn into the center. This only heightened anticipation, and had people on the tips of their toes, waiting impatiently for the Wallows to make their appearance.
At exactly 8:41pm, the first of the two tapestry fell, and the whole room held its breath as the opening chords for “Do Not Wait,” one of the band’s personal favorites, were heard. Behind the large white fabric were the shadows of the band members illuminated by intense flashing strobes, creating a beautiful and dance of light. The raw vocals of Dylan Minnette paired with the reverb of Braeden Lemasters’s guitar created easily one of the most breathtaking entrances I had ever seen.
The seamless transition to the fan favorite “Your Apartment” shifted the energy, and you could feel the floor’s enthusiasm spill into the outer circles of the crowd. Even the event security was dancing and swaying to the music. Dylan himself noted that the energy was the best they had seen since the beginning of the tour.
Photo Via Instagram
Throughout their hour-and-a-half set, people swayed and jumped to a range of hits played from “Pictures of Girls” to “Uncomfortable.” In between songs, Lemasters would ask the crowd questions, the most memorable being when he came to the mic to ask South Floridians, “...Are you guys fans of the Miami Heat?” Which was met with laughter and an applause of yes.
Their 2025 tour, the Model & More Tour, began February 6th, set out to promote their third studio album, model. However, they also played their new single, “Coffin Change”, about halfway through their set in order to hype their new EP which will be dropping March 28th. The crowd loved it.
As the show ended and people trickled out, the air was still full of bliss. The Wallows really went out with a bang, with their last show of tour (until their next leg starting in May) not only being the most energetic (as put by Dylan), but also the first sold-out show at the Fort Lauderdale War Memorial Auditorium. It was a show that can’t be forgotten.
