Waterparks @ Roadrunner 11/20

Photography by Kate Kotlyar

Review by Jamie Ko

On Thursday, a rainbow sea of hair-dyed heads gathered at Roadrunner for the equally vibrant band, Waterparks. Proudly hailing from Houston, the trio has been working tirelessly since 2011 in the alternative scene, molding the pop-punk genre to fit their artistic vision. From their debut album “Double Dare” to their latest 2023 record “Intellectual Property,” their sound has seen bold experimentation with elements of pop and electronic, forgoing labels and doing their own thing unapologetically. The band consists of frontman Awsten Knight on vocals and guitar, Geoff Wigington on guitar, and Otto Wood on drums. Fans have waited patiently for nearly two years since their last U.S. tour, and they are now back on the road for The Prowler Tour.

The night opened with a thrilling act from Jhariah. Much like Waterparks, their music was hard to categorize into a single genre. The band’s sound was reminiscent of early 2000s pop-punk at times and musical numbers at times—Jhariah’s theatrical vocals showed impressive range and dynamic, perfectly equipped for both categories. The dancey rhythm and catchy melodies had the audience dancing from the first song of their set, “BIGSHOT.”

Jhariah was followed by singer-songwriter Chloe Moriondo, whom a decent handful of the audience was familiar with. Bounding onstage with blonde pigtails, she performed an eclectic set of shimmering hyperpop and pop-punk, all united by her distinctive style. Moriondo sang her older hits like “I Want to Be With You,” as well as tracks from her newest album, “oyster.”

At last, Waterparks took the stage and cut through the room’s palpable anticipation with “Blonde,” the punchy lead track from their sophomore album “Entertainment.” The backdrop screen flashed with saturated hues and 3D-animated visuals throughout the set. The show had a unique structure that consisted of four segments, each dedicated to exploring “the primary emotions that make human beings tick,” as explained by a pre-recorded, educational-style video.

The first segment was Happiness—fittingly, the band played “Stupid for You,” “Dream Boy,” and “FUNERAL GREY,” which are all upbeat songs about infatuation. True to the Waterparks brand, Knight frequently engaged in humorous banter with the audience, keeping the room full of laughter between songs. He selected a fan to choose between two songs: “Telephone” or “Peach (Lobotomy).” The fan picked the latter, and the cold November night momentarily transformed into summer with the song’s refreshing instrumentals and wistful lyrics.

The second section, Sadness, began with “High Definition.” Swaying phone flashlights accompanied this introspective ballad about craving love but pulling away because of circumstances and the fear of getting hurt. This segment also featured a crowd pick between “Not Warriors” and “Gloom Boys.” The winner was “Not Warriors,” leaving some fans disappointed and some screaming with excitement. Despite the divisiveness, this track is a fan favorite due to its lyrics, “But hey, for what it’s worth, I think you saved my life,” which is a sentiment that many fans hold toward the band itself.

Before moving on to the third segment, Knight played a short acoustic set of surprise songs. Because of the unpredictability, it has been a highly anticipated part of each show. To my utter shock, the first song was a live debut of “Teenage Jealousy,” which is from a collection of unreleased demos originally posted on the band’s SoundCloud. Knight joked, “If you’re chronically online, enjoy this. If you have a job, this is not for you.” Though he only played one chorus, it was a monumental moment for “chronically online” demo fans. The acoustic set also included “Worst,” “Violet!,” “Lucky People,” and “I Miss Having Sex But At Least I Don’t Wanna Die Anymore.”

The third segment, Anticipation, featured Waterparks’ newest singles for their upcoming album. The band dropped “IF LYRICS WERE CONFIDENTIAL” this September, and I knew upon first listen that the live experience would be phenomenal. The song’s petty, frustrated attitude and shouting bits made for an extremely cathartic experience. After seeing how hyped-up the fans were, I can confidently predict that it will become a staple song on future Waterparks setlists.

The final segment was Anger, perfectly suited for tracks like “TANTRUM,” “REAL SUPER DARK,” and “Turbulent.” It was especially a great time for the mosh pit and crowdsurfers. This energy was seamlessly carried into the encore, “LIKE IT.”

For the audience, it was a night to let loose and scream all worries away. Waterparks delivered a powerful live production that showcased the wide emotional range of their discography, and not a single moment lacked in color or energy. Their new music continues to evolve stylistically while remaining uniquely “them.” Upon seeing the band perform the new songs, they seem more self-assured than they ever have been. After this tour, Waterparks will be ready to charge into a new chapter with their upcoming album, set to be released in 2026.