Sliding Into The Word of Waterparks

by Morgan Manin

This Waterparks concert has been a highly anticipated one among many of the members here at WMSC. Before even arriving at the venue, the Starland Ballroom, my head was already filled with the cheers of praise and excitement from a few of my peers; peers who have been
greatly anticipating this event of The Prowler Tour. This led me to feeling excited for the performance, yet also feeling like an imposter since I have never even heard of Waterparks before this event. I was extremely grateful to eventually learn that my concerns were for naught,
as I was met with an extremely fun and exciting concert; elevated even higher due to the fans’ prominent love for the band and the world of live music. After waiting in line amongst super-fans vibrating with excitement, Starland Ballroom opened their doors to let in the flood of people that would immediately pour into the venue. It was a race to ensure I had a good spot to watch the performance. In many of the concerts I have attended, that extra thrill of rushing to an open and good location is always prominent, and is even occasionally welcomed. What separated this rush from the previous ones were the fans. I did not once experience a moment of hostility from someone pushing or knocking me over in order to beat me to where I was headed; all the pushing and shoving was saved for the inevitable mosh pit that formed almost as soon as Waterparks went up to begin. As the band climbed on stage to begin, there was no containing the vocalizations of the crowd. Almost immediately, I lost sight of a friend I met with, only to find them crowdsurfing during the first song of the set. This was not an isolated occurrence, as many crowd members of all shapes and sizes began to also elevate the energy of the night by doing the same and more. This elevation of energy was only encouraged by the band’s lead singer, Awsten Knight, who made sure to comment and praise the members of the audience for engaging in what they love.

Knight’s interactions with the crowd were not rare, but actually plentiful. In between songs, he would frequently talk to individual members of the crowd that somehow made themselves known to him. These were not only short and sweet interactions, but sometimes conversations that could sometimes last for almost a minute. The venue was smaller and more personal than many I have been to previously, but this environment actually enhanced the experience by allowing Knight to do what he seemingly does best: using his talents and charm to engage with fans on a seemingly deeper level. He made many members of the audience feel not just acknowledged, but heard; which is a very rare thing to see at an event like this. It was already apparent this audience was very comfortable amongst one another, whether they were strangers or not. I picked up a real sense of community, which is not something a typical group of fans with a mutual interest can usually produce. The night felt almost familial, and I believe it partly due to Knight’s frequent interactions with the crowd, and the band’s messages of inclusivity.

Although I was momentarily and unintentionally focused on the energy of the audience, I could not keep my attention off the band for too long, as their performance kept demanding my attention. The sound and energy Waterparks produced was nothing short of magnetic. Even not knowing one bit of their discography, I could not help but jump to their music. While the smaller venue led to a more personal experience between band and audience, I was concerned that the smaller stage would mean that the live effects would be lacking. Thankfully, my worries were proven wrong, as there were many technological aspects that enhanced the experience: projector, dynamic lighting, smoke machines, etc. I was unsure of how it would feel to see a performance of a band that was unknown to me. Waterparks were completely alien to me even though many people I know are huge fans of them. I initially felt almost unworthy to write this review, as I figured that this opportunity should’ve been reserved for someone on our team that was more familiar with their work. Thankfully, I have come to realize that this lack of knowledge did not diminish my experience whatsoever. The audience members were extremely inviting despite what you may have initially thought, and the music itself was extremely enjoyable and addictive. Every concert has something unique to offer, but Waterparks has many, many things to offer. Whether you just want to attend a fun, energetic show, or find like-minded people whose community may speak to you, this concert has something for everyone. I can’t wait to see what Waterparks has next up their sleeve, and I and now a new member of WMSC that is greatly anticipating their next performance.