I LOVE LOVE LOVE a good concert. Today’s concert era consists of charismatic performers with a good stage presence who truly know how to entertain their fans beyond just music. With this new era, the classic “boyband” had to adapt from the young, curly haired, dancing troop in arenas. So here is MY guide to three of our modern boybands:
1. Role Model
Role Model, or Tucker Pillsbury, has become increasingly popular since the release of his newest album Kansas Anymore and has been an entertaining force while on tour over the past year. I was lucky enough to see him at the Governor’s Ball Music Festival in New York, and let me just say he lives up to the hype. He has an iconic online persona, @saintlaurentcowboy, which he ironically frames as an “impersonator” of himself and makes goofy and unserious videos on TikTok. Role Model also always introduces himself as a different artist, for example shouting “I am Sabrina Carpenter” as he exits the stage to conclude his set. One thing I love about his set is when he brings out a fan or fellow celebrity to the stage to dance around with him during “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.” When I saw him, he brought out Conan Gray. Overall, a Role Model’s show is such an enjoyable and funny concert. You will most definitely be jumping up and down and screaming your heart out to “Deeply Still in Love” by the end.
2. Wallows
Wallows is a band starring Dylan Minnette, Braeden Lemasters, and Cole Preston. They are currently on their Model & More tour for their recent album, Model, and EP, More (I see what they did there). While quite popular before, they have recently gained even more popularity due to the edits made of them singing on TikTok, mainly to “Brooklyn Baby” by Lana Del Ray and specifically the “yeah my boyfriend’s pretty cool” part. They have an iconic lyric that Dylan stopped singing in their song “Calling After Me,” which audiences instead scream at the band to be cheeky. I also had the privilege of seeing them at the Governors Ball, and twice before that, so I can attest to the fact that their songs are some of the best to dance to in a crowded GA pit. If you’re into the indie guitar player aesthetic, a Wallows concert if most definitely for you.
3. Sombr
Though I have not gotten the chance to see him live, Sombr’s performances seem like a teenage girls dream concert. He goofs around on stage while kicking and dropping equipment, saying out-of-pocket comments, and has recently started bringing fans on stage to call their exes on Facetime. I feel like I watched him grow more popular on TikTok when he created his @sombrsucks account, similar to that of Role Model’s fake account. His songs are not just about love and relationships, but focus on gut-wrenching and distressing situationships, so I know every girl can relate to this. Go see Sombr on tour if you’re looking to scream lyrics of things you wish you could say to your past relationships.
Concerts and music festivals are incredible experiences, especially when the performer is witty and banters with the crowd. It is a time when fans can really see their favorite artists and bands as people, in the flesh, and not just recordings on Spotify. Though there are so many amazing artists on tour right now, this is just a quick guide to the internet craze over the modern-day boybands.