Waterparks Ignite Boston on the Sneaking Out of Heaven Tour

Writing and photo by Faith Logue

Graphic by Rebekah Witt

Houston rock band Waterparks have been lighting up the stage since their inception over ten years ago, but something about this tour was different. Having seen the band since 2017 in small venues with barely any lights to this concept tour with an entire set, visual effects, and even a B-stage, I was in awe and feeling nostalgic about how far they have come. The Sneaking Out of Heaven Tour will go down in history as one of Waterparks’ best tours and my favorite show I’ve seen from the group.

Opening for Waterparks at the MGM Music Hall in Boston were hyperpop artist Sophie Powers and indie rock band Loveless. Powers—who I interviewed for Kinda Cool Magazine a few issues ago—brought her signature electronic beats and calming yet powerful voice to the stage, performing a small set filled with some of her most iconic songs like “Nosebleed,” “Better on Mute,” and even a hyperpop cover of “Wildest Dreams” by Taylor Swift. Loveless performed a longer set and blew me away, as I had never heard of them before, with the lead singer Julian Comeau commanding the stage and demanding my full attention.

Then came the moment everyone was waiting for: Waterparks taking the stage. I was pushed and moved throughout the crowd as soon as their set started, but I loved the energy. The stage looked like the altar at church, which was unsurprising as their last album, Intellectual Property, was filled with religious imagery and themes. One by one came drummer Otto Wood, guitarist Geoff Wigington, and then lead singer Awsten Knight with green crosses painted on his face. The opening notes of “Watch What Happens Next” rang out, and everyone lost their minds.

The set moved rather quickly, transitioning into “Blonde” from their sophomore album Entertainment, then a mashup of songs from their pandemic record Greatest Hits. Besides dancing and singing along to the music, my eyes were attached to the sheer amount of visual aids the group brought on this tour, with different video graphics accompanying each song and a multitude of colors shining brightly everywhere. The crowd became rowdier as the setlist progressed with more crowd surfers as Waterparks sang “Stupid For You,” “You’d Be Paranoid Too (If Everyone Was Out To Get You),” and a glimpse at an unreleased song titled “SOULSUCKER.”

It was about halfway through my favorite song “Magnetic” that I decided to go into the pit and take my chance at crowdsurfing, something I had never done before. I weaved my way out of the crowd just in time for one of my favorite songs by the group, “RITUAL.” I decided to take my chance and join in the massive circle pit, jumping up and down and moshing during each breakdown. It was the most fun I had ever had at a concert, and I felt like this was my true calling from now on.

The first time I crowdsurfed ever was to “SELF-SABOTAGE” from their latest record. My friends and people I just met helped me, and before I knew it, I was on top of the crowd being led to the front. It was such a freeing experience and it felt so good to know I finally did it—and during one of my favorite bands’ sets. My friends were so happy for me, high-fiving me from their barricade spots as I clutched the security’s arms and was gently put down.

Knight made his way over to the B-stage in the back of the pit, surrounded by a chain fence and a weird-looking mannequin. While there, he performed “High Definition,” “Snow Globe,” and “Crying Over It All,” showcasing his piano skills, which he took lessons for to display on this tour. The final songs of Waterparks’ set put the night on a high note as I continued to most to “Numb,” “Turbulent,” and “REAL SUPER DARK.” Thank you, Waterparks, for a great night, and I can’t wait until show number 11!