Waterparks - The Anti Tour Show
Allow the self indulgence, but I'm going to write a review of my favourite band - Waterparks, who just did an online concert through Veeps last night - The Anti Tour Show (27th March). It's been just over a year since I last saw Awsten Knight, Geoff Wigington and Otto Wood live in London, and since this they've released two further singles 'Lowkey As Hell' and 'Snow Globe' which will feature on their new album 'Greatest Hits' out May 21st.
The stage was beautiful, set up like a forest. Awsten described it as "the most romantic woods you've ever seen". There was obviously a reason behind the bikes and fire hydrants entangled in the leaves, which I'm sure will reveal itself when the album is released.
As with all Waterparks events, the recording was amazing - overseen by Jawn Rocha, who seems to meticulously plan the filming in fine detail. It's surprising how much the varying camera angles, perspective and eye contact with the band had such an impact on creating an atmosphere that felt like a concert, even through a screen.
I got myself all comfy in bed ready to watch the livestream, not realising that just like an in venue concert - I would have to get up and jump around my room screaming the lyrics, as Awsten encouraged the audience to "Fuck up your table" and mosh in their living rooms.
A lot of the watchability comes from Awsten's unique personality and the strange things he says between songs which really engage the audience. His interactions with the other band members, people recording, people on tech support and lighting are always fun to watch. Who knew you could listen to someone swallowing water and pay attention?
The show started with a bang with 'Cherry Red' - the opening track to their last album 'FANDOM' which has to be one of the best opening album tracks I've ever heard. This was followed by some other FANDOM hits - 'Watch What Happens Next', 'Dream Boy' and a song the fans had been begging the band to play live since its release - 'Telephone'!
At this point, the band surprised us all by playing a new song 'Numb' from the upcoming album - ahead of the single's release on 29th March. This song is going to be a fan favourite as it's so catchy and full of energy - I've had it stuck in my head since I watched the show!
As a long time Waterparks fan I was overwhelmed when they started playing 'Mad All The Time' - a song from their 2016 EP 'Cluster'. The nostalgia of hearing older Waterparks songs played live again, mixed with the usual conspiracies surrounding Awsten Knight's decisions had me asking myself "why was the ending different? What does this mean Awsten?! Or am I just thinking too deep?"
Like every Waterparks show, Awsten played some acoustic songs on his own. Starting with 'Lucky People' and moving to '21 Questions' with Otto and Geoff joining in for the last chorus. I never get tired of the build up at the end of '21 Questions' when the band join in - it always hits me in the feels.
With such a brilliant back catalogue of hits to choose from, the band then played 'Not Warriors' and 'Stupid For You' before performing 'Lowkey As Hell' live for the first time in a gig environment. THIS. GAVE. ME. CHILLS.
Finishing the show with 'Turbulent' the classic Waterparks mosh song, I can imagine everyone at this point jumping around their rooms, just like we all did at the FANDOM tour last year.
As an encore, they performed their latest single 'Snow Globe' which was incredible and so different from what I expected it to be like live.
As an encore, they performed their latest single 'Snow Globe' which was incredible and so different from what I expected it to be like live.
Despite Awsten calling the show "digital bullshit" during the performance, I think this was well worth the ticket money and only made me more excited to see them at the See You In The Future Tour at the end of June (fingers crossed!!!)
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