I had the opportunity to see Walk The Moon perform at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium on January 28th, as a part of their Press Restart tour. I've been a fan of this band for a little over three years, and out of all the concerts I've attended, this one was my favorite by far. If you ever get the chance to see them play, here's why you should go.
1. The band (obviously)
Nick Petricca, Kevin Ray, Eli Maiman, and Sean Waugaman are four of the most humble people in the music industry today. You can really tell that they genuinely enjoy performing, and that positive energy radiates throughout the venue, from the band to the crowd. Starting in Cincinnati, Ohio (the same area that I grew up in), they skyrocketed to fame a couple of years ago, but they still don't forget where they came from. Lead singer Nick Petricca takes time to thank the audience for their support in every show.
2. The fans
Most people in the audience (myself included) donned colorful stripes and spots of face paint, as an homage to WTM's Anna Sun video. Throughout the concert, I found myself singing to the strangers next to me who I had only just met. Their fanbase is extremely positive and welcoming, which reflects the passionate nature of the band and how they show their true love for the fans.
3. The music
We've all heard their smash hit Shut Up and Dance, or the more recent One Foot (which recently got to #1 on alternative radio), which proves that this music is synonymous with bouncy, energetic tunes. However, their range of music goes from slow love songs (Aquaman) to jump-around rock (Headphones), each with their own beautiful lyrics. With lines ranging from profound ("Headfirst into the water, and so it hits me, I guess we could breathe all along") to funny ("I can take a beating like a good pair of headphones"), their songs are perfect for any and every mood.
4. The mood
With all three of the previous factors combined, it created a magical concert experience. As they performed their song "Portugal", the chorus of "You are not alone" echoed throughout the auditorium. Over two thousand people from all walks of life sang along with a sense of unity and solidarity; whatever issues we faced outside of the venue had melted away. To many, Walk the Moon represents growth after pain - working to embrace life and live it to the fullest. Experiencing this show is truly something special.
5. The lighting
I attended this show with two of my close friends, and we're all giant theatre nerds. One friend had seen the show beforehand and told us that the light design was one of the greatest things about the concert. As dorky as that sounds, the designs used varying degrees of color and intensity to capture the tones of the songs. (For example, the prideful anthem "Different Colors" was accompanied by rainbow lights.)
To conclude, Walk the Moon is an incredibly talented band who have achieved so much. Their Press Restart tour is incredibly symbolic of leaving your problems at the door and getting a chance at a fresh start through their songs. Concerts are wonderful and magical experiences, and I truly hope that you get to experience something as beautiful as this show.
