What started as a small seating disaster ended up giving us one of the best spots in the venue. My best friend and I found that our seats were being used by the video crew and their equipment. However, after a bit of confusion with a staff member, we were somehow upgraded to seats right next to the stage. 

Wallows, a Los Angeles based indie-rock trio known for their nostalgic sound and coming-of-age anthems, capped off their 2025 tour at James Madison University (JMU) on October 3. The night began with an upbeat set from Adam Paddock, an indie artist based in Nashville. Even though I hadn’t heard his music before, his energy and gratitude for being there made his performance feel refreshing and fun. 

Before Wallows took the stage, the crowd buzzed with excitement. Students and fans took pictures and shared laughs. At one point, a girl came up to us and offered us pins she had made herself, each featuring one of the band members: Cole Preston, Braeden Lemasters, and Dylan Minnette. It was such a small gesture, but I thought it was so kind. 

When Wallows came out on stage, the crowd screamed in excitement. They jumped right into their set, performing a mix of fan favorites such as “Scrawny,” “OK,” and “Are You Bored Yet?” They spoke a little between songs, but I thought it made sense given that this was their final performance before going on a hiatus. The crowd stayed energetic throughout the night, cheering them on until the very end.

At one point, Lemasters invited Duke Dog, the JMU mascot, to come onto the stage with them. The crowd went wild as Duke Dog danced alongside the band, adding a playful and unexpected touch to the show.

I was sad that the setlist didn’t include “Coffin Change,” one of my favorite songs, but the energy and nostalgia of the night made up for it. I’ll admit I wasn’t a huge Wallows fan until my best friend bought the tickets. However, after spending weeks listening to their albums and watching live shows, this concert made me appreciate their music even more. When they played their final song, the crowd swayed and sang every word. It suddenly hit me that this was their last show before going on break. There was a mix of joy and sadness in the air, with everyone trying to hold on to the moment a little longer. By the end of the night, my voice was hoarse, the adrenaline rush was fading, and I knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience I’d never forget.