Wallows Rock New Jersey With 'Marvelous' Valentine's Day Concert

Ringing in the night of love with The Beatles' "Here, There And Everywhere," two-thirds of Wallows took the stage to a sold-out crowd at The Wellmont Theater in Montclair. The crowd noticed something odd when the song stopped: the band was short one member, co-lead singer Dylan Minnette.

Usually, Wallows opens with the tear-jerker "Do Not Wait," followed by a curtain drop. But, production was limited on this special day, leading to a slight change of plans. Without Minnette on stage, the band hopped into the mellowed-out "She's an Actress." Fans know this song for one exciting reason — the band usually performs with Minnette walking through the crowd while singing.

Necks were turning, desperately hoping to catch a glimpse of the heartthrob. Suddenly, Minnette appeared below the second deck in a pair of dreamy blue jeans and a thin monochrome vest.In a frenzy reminiscent of Beatlemania, the crowd screamed in ecstasy as he made his way to the stage.

After entering the tight general admission pit, Minnette and the crowd were practically face to face — a pretty surreal way to start the lovely night. Slowly, he parted the packed pit, paralyzing fans at every turn until the song ended.

Once he made it on stage, it was business as usual. If you weren't stuck in the daze of Minnette's presence, you were springing off the ground for the fast-paced, bass-pumped "Anytime, Always." You could hear a cacophony of fans chanting the lyrics, celebrating the best Valentine's Day of their lives.

The next surprise of the night was a pair of back-to-back deep cuts as Wallows played "It's Only Right" and "Pulling Leaves Off Trees." Two rare live cuts indicated that the night would be filled with stunners for long-time fans. In particular, their rendition of "Pulling Leaves Off Trees," one of the earliest tracks in the group's discography, still kept its youthful charm eight years later.

Shortly after, drummer Cole Preston took the mic to sing fan-favorite "Quarterback." Preston's transition from drumsticks to guitar was seamless, with his now iconic light footwork tapping through the song.

Halfway through the show, Braeden Lemasters, co-lead singer and lead guitarist, cooled the vibe and started playing "At the End of the Day." Fans had been prepped before the show started, considering that some people had passed around miniature hearts with "hold up during 'At the End of the Day'" written on them. When the song played, the hearts were lifted into the air, and the band lit up joyously. Minnette, notably, picked his head up and peered into the crowd.

But everyone knows a Wallows Valentine's Day show wouldn't be complete without 2018's "Let the Sun In." Couples embraced as Lemasters sang, "And now I know it's real, Oh yes, I know it's real. And now I know, it's love, Oh, it's love, Oh, it's love. Just let the sun in, It's love, oh it's love."

This lovely performance led to a cascade of Wallows' love songs, notably the coming-of-age ode "Just Like a Movie." The energy never left the building as the Los Angeles-based trio closed the main set with "Remember When" into "I Don’t Want to Talk." You might not expect the pit to open at a Wallows' show, but on "Remember When," the crowd bounced into one of the most polite moshes you will ever see.

Encoring with "Are You Bored Yet?" was no surprise, but a special bonus was hearing "Only Ecstasy," the closing song of the band's album "Model." One of the group's best love songs broke the hearts of lonely singles while making the night that much sweeter for passionate pairs.

With one of the most diverse setlists of the "Model & More Tour" thus far, The Wellmont was the can't-miss spot for dates on Valentine's Day. Even without songs like "Marvelous" or "Sidelines," the band delivered a memorable, cozy performance, one perfect for any date night.

The band clearly enjoyed themselves, too, as their banter often focused on people in the crowd rather than themselves. Preston and Minnette even helped a fan ask their partner to be their Valentine.

Wallows' 2025 is bright, with a new EP dropping on March 28 and tour dates scheduled through the summer. On February 20, they will release the second single of their latest EP, "More." So far, all we know from its 20-second teaser is that it appears to be a return to form for the band, leaning on their indie rock roots.

Catch Wallows on the rest of their "Model & More Tour," and make sure to stream their new stuff — it may just become your new favorite song.

(Originally published for The Daily Targum, February 2025)