January 17th, 2018- After the success of their record-breaking hit, “Shut Up and Dance,” off of their 2014 album TALKING IS HARD, Cincinnati, Ohio based band, Walk the Moon, seemed to disappear from the music scene all together. Nicholas Petricca, lead singer and piano player, lost his father, a heartbreak that would nearly tear the band apart.
But, after a long three-year hiatus for both the band members and their self-titled fan base, known as “Walkers,” Walk the Moon announced the release of their new 2017 album titled, What if Nothing, which would be accompanied by a nation-wide tour, fittingly called, “Press Restart.”
I have had the privilege of seeing Walk the Moon on tour not once, but three times. My first WTM concert was during their 2014 tour for TALKING IS HARD. I, like many others, also waited in high anticipation for this new tour. Once the tickets were released, I was beyond ready to commit to two shows that would occur within the same week.
Although Walk the Moon performed at many unique and different venues during this tour, their ability to connect with every new crowd made each concert stand out from rest. My first January, 2018 performance occurred at the prestigious Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. The next concert, was not so flashy, occurring at a bar/petite venue, near my hometown in Albany, NY. Despite the dramatic shift from a well-known venue to a near dive bar, Walk the Moon made the most of Upstate Concert Hall (which could not fit their entire lighting rig), through crowd surfing, performances full of drums, electric guitars, and of course, dancing.
While their most recent songs still contain the same spunk and fun energy best associated with their 2014 tour, there is a new depth to the music that reflects the bands near breakup and subsequent struggle to return to the music scene. One of the most noticeable differences between their 2014 and 2018 live performances, is that Walk the Moon has a newfound confidence that allows them to take command of the stage. Songs such as: “All I Want” and “Kamikaze,” delve into Nick’s passionate search for his own identity. And when those songs are performed live, we all get a sense that we can find a bit of who we are if we allow ourselves to let go and dance.
Walk the Moon has by far given me the best concert experiences thus far. Their devotion to providing a safe space for their fans allows everyone to let loose in the face of hardship in order to enjoy songs that resonate with the deepest, fun-loving and exploratory parts of ourselves. Therefore, if you missed the opportunity to see them live, give them a listen. I promise you will not be disappointed. In fact, you most likely will want to get up and dance.
Walk the Moon will be resuming their United States tour with Thirty Seconds to Mars during Summer 2018. Make sure to connect with Walk the Moon (@walkthemoonband) on Instagram and Twitter.
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