Natalie Brown
17/06/22
Waterparks
Waterparks finally returned to the U.K for their ‘See you in the future tour’, kicking off in Leeds at the O2 Academy. Due to Covid this gig was postponed for over a year but it was well worth the wait when they returned on Friday 17th June.
Otto (the drummer) came onstage first letting everyone know the show was about to begin, the anticipation increased as Geoff (the guitarist) came on stage. Awsten followed, starting the show with the energising song ‘Stupid for you’, getting the crowd jumping less than 30 seconds in.
They included their most recent single ‘Funeral Grey’ early on in the set, this was a thrilling song to hear live for the first time in the U.K. The catchy melody had the whole audience clapping, dancing and singing as the projected screen showcased red, falling tennis balls, replicating the singles’ cover. This song effortlessly incorporated the new era. This new era was also reflected in the co-ordinated outfits worn by the band. Each member had an item of red clothing on tying this together perfectly.
Following some of their more recent music, they threw in ‘Gloom boys’ from their first album ‘Double Dare’ allowing for a varied set list. Especially, Awsten’s vocals really shined through during this piece as he had a diverse vocal range and parts differed slightly from the studio version. This made the song more interesting and impressive.
Around mid-way through, Geoff and Otto left the stage and Awstens electric guitar was replaced with an Acoustic. Instead of rushing through the set list he made sure to interact with the audience, he mentioned recognising someone in the crowd from a previous show, a reflection of his care for his fans. Instead of sticking to the setlist, he began playing ’11:11’ at the request from someone in the audience. This song hadn’t been played for a long time and Awsten commented that ‘Leeds are out here getting exclusive’, making the concert feel like more of a unique experience. This had a greater impact on the audience as the concert did begin to feel more exclusive.
This feeling didn’t stop there, following the acoustic section, with some audience encouragement Awsten made his way to the drum kit to play ‘Group Chat’. He exclaimed how he’d never played the drums at a waterparks show before, receiving an eager response from everyone watching. This was a great addition to the show, the 12 second piece being replayed 3 times by Awsten as he enjoyed it just as much as everyone else.
The acoustic set continued, ‘Rare’ was played on the guitar by Awsten but the audience sung without any help needed from the band. Awsten smiled a lot during this. It was a beautiful, peaceful moment after the more lively start. This relaxed atmosphere was carried on during ‘Lucky people’. The room was lit up, not only by phone lights but the audience’s happiness. Despite the majority of the show feeling very informal Awsten commented on how thankful he was for everyone there, adding a serious touch.
The show didn’t stay serious for long. What could be perceived as strange for those that didn’t know Waterparks, was very humorous for the audience as Awsten appeared on stage holding a bin or ‘Trash can’ can as he referred to it high above his head. This contributed to their performance as we saw more of his personality and it was a fitting break in between songs.
Atmosphere changed once again getting more exciting at the suprising addition of an unreleased song ‘Brainwashed’, incorporating more of their new era teasingly. This received a greatly positive audience response and is certainly a release people will look forward to.
Finally, they ended with the most energising song ‘Turbulent’. Both Awsten and Geoff made use of the stage switching sides. Instead of people swaying their arms calmly on people shoulders, they were now crashing into each other in a mosh pit and crowd surfers were flying forward. This was a thrilling way to finish the night, both delight and disappointment filling the room.
This wasn’t my first Waterparks show, it definitely won’t be my last but it was my favourite so far. So many elements of this show stand out and it felt different from others. As said by awsten, this gig included many ‘firsts’ making for a unique experience. It exceeded all my expectations. It didn’t feel rushed, Awsten stated that it had gone 20 minutes over but this wasn’t a huge concern. Rather than sticking to the planned show, he made sure to consider and include what people wanted. I feel as though the lighting could have been improved throughout. At various points dark red and blue lights obscured the members making it difficult to see them. Also, although both Otto and Geoff played their instruments extremely well, it would have been nice to see them communicate with the audience at least one during the performance instead of just Awsten speaking.
Overall, this show was well balanced, with song styles, humor and connection leaving me with a tremendous impression and admiration for the band.
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