Higher Ground | Burlington, United States
04 June, 2025
Written & photographed by Haley Petrone
The eerie hum of a guitar echos as Dylan Minnette speaks into the microphone, “I want you guys to go really fucking nuts if you can, and if you can’t make way for the people that will.” A speech that is often saved for the bridge of Remember When was instead given before they played their final song I’m Full. This was the first night on this leg of the Model and More Tour that Wallows played this track as their closer, defining their show in Burlington as a special one.
PHOTOS: HALEY PETRONE
Los Angeles based band Wallows will have fans screaming at the top of their lungs one second and crying the next. With tracks filled with meaningful lyrics and emotional instrumentals, Wallows have tediously curated their unique sound and have flourished through live performances, establishing themselves as one of the greatest bands on the scene today. The band is known by fans to play a setlist unique to each show every night on tour. As it was the first show Wallows had ever played in Vermont they were bound to pull out some deep cuts for their intimate sold out set at Higher Ground, with a capacity of just 750, one of the smallest Wallows shows in years.
The band, consisting of Dylan Minnette, Braeden Lemasters, and Cole Preston, as well as Blake Morell, Kevin Grimmett, and Danny Ferenbach who accompany the band on tour, opened their set with Coffin Change, a fan favorite from their new EP “More”, getting the crowd hyped for what was sure to be an incredible show. Beautiful complex lighting accompanies Wallows throughout their standout performance, engaging fans and enhancing all aspects of the show.
A staple for all Wallows shows is Quarterback, a track sung entirely by their drummer, Cole Preston. Lemasters will talk to the crowd while Preston and Minnette swap positions on stage; Minnette moving towards the back with drumsticks in hand and Preston to the front with his own guitar. As Lemasters introduces Preston to the crowd, the backing track of the song starts, and the crowd reaches a deafening level of shrills. Quarterback is a favorite amongst Wallows fans who are eager to get a closer view of Preston, who is hidden behind a drum kit for a majority of the show. During the outro of the track Lemasters and Preston gear up for a guitar battle, starting at opposite sides and charging towards center stage, pushing up against each other like bulls. Moments like these establish Wallows commanding stage presence and their bond as a band.
Wallows will often go out into the crowd during their sets, tonight in Vermont was no different. During the bridge of OK Minnette steps off the stage and onto the barricade where he is met face to face with the fans who have waited all day for a good view, and maybe even a chance at singing the bridge. Minnette turns his mic towards the crowd and moves in a line down the barricade, choosing a few people to let sing each verse into his mic.
Some other memorable tracks from their night in Burlington include, Dig What You Dug, Ground, and Wish Me Luck. These songs aren’t played often at Wallows shows, but even when they are fans still know all the words. Wish Me Luck, a track off their second EP “Remote”, was played for the first time this year in Burlington. Searing guitars fill the room as the song starts, accompanied by lush vocals from Minnette. The song is a powerful track that was the perfect addition for such an intimate show.
Minnette through the set mentioned that it was their first time in Vermont and he was grateful that his first experience was inside that small room at Higher Ground. The band was shocked at how well they could see the entire crowd, even calling out to a fan jumping far in the back. Wallows mention they most likely will not be back for awhile, but that did not stop them from putting on an incredible show with one of the best setlists so far on this run.
If you have never seen Wallows live you are missing out. The band have a passion for performing live which reflects in the energy they receive from their crowds. The Model and More Tour will finish off in Asheville, North Carolina on June 15th, however they will continue to play at festivals all over the world through 2025, as well as opening for My Chemical Romance in July at Dodgers Stadium.
SETLIST
1. Coffin Change
2. Anytime, Always
3. Scrawny
4. Bad Dream
5. Dig What You Dug
6. Sun Tan
7. Deep Dive
8. Quarterback
9. These Days
10. OK
11. Ground
12. Wish Me Luck
13. Trust Fall
14. Hide It Away
15. At the End of the Day
16. Pleaser
17. Calling After Me
18. Uncomfortable
19. Remember When
20. I Don’t Want to Talk
21. Are You Bored Yet?
22. I’m Full