LIVE FROM THE PIT: Waterparks and Greywind
- Zach Davis
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
On the backend of the EU and UK leg of their Prowler Tour, Pop Punk veterans WATERPARKS entered the O2 Academy in Bristol last Wednesday to deliver a high energy, crowd-pleaser of a set. Whilst the momentum of the evening was catapulted to a difficult high to follow by support in Irish emo’s GREYWIND, WATERPARKS were able to build off the back of that movement and keep the crowd’s spirits high.
First up were the openers and alt-emo vanguards GREYWIND, who were able to bring a calculatedly frantic energy to the room despite the time constraints. Front-woman Steph O’Sullivan is the key figure in this equation with her flare for the theatrical and dynamic stage presence demonstrated by her constant outburst of intensity and unending onslaught of falsetto vocal as well as though the on-stage interplay brought by her brother and bandmate Paul O’Sullivan in the form of thrown hands and beaten guitar.
Whilst the venue itself was already well filled out by the time of their arrival, the ability GREYWIND showed to win over and captivate an audience anticipating a cult band such as WATERPARKS, in a city that they have not previously been able to make an appearance in since their last show at Fleece three years prior, was remarkable. Crowd interaction was kept lively and did not become overbearing, with a brief interlude to introduce an assortment of medical hats adorned for Antidote.
GREYWIND chose a tight and multi-faceted selection of songs which worked to liven up the tepid crowd of younger attendees, while also providing a taster of the group’s own My Chem-adjacent post-hardcore and emo flavoured palette. Control over the stage was exerted and reflected in the adequate head bobs and new fans made of the Wednesday audience judging by supportive chatter at the merch table.
GREYWIND’s ability to gracefully move between moods was demonstrated in their balanced setlist consisting of cathartic 2000s-esque ballad 2024 single Swing and Sway to the bass driven ripper I.K.A.M.F. from the new album Severed Heart City. The dynamics of the venue were on the band’s side that night but actively elevating them, with a noticeably clear mix allowing each member’s parts to be distinguishable and articulate in a way that unfortunately did not translate for WATERPARKS.
Overall, with a set like this (particularly set against a backdrop of younger and more WATERPARKS focused fans), GREYWIND were able to present an engaging warm up, that left an audience well prepared for the high energy pure pop punk of the headliners. Definitely a band to keep an eye out for if you’re up for a night of screaming and throw back fringes punctuated by driving riffs and a frenetic onstage dynamic.
Following an elongated interlude due to technical issues, sudden screams permeated from the front as Handycam tour footage reminiscent of an MTV show circa 2003 began to play on the rear projector. Through the wall of it all, WATERPARKS entered the room with a running jump onto the stage followed by a dive straight through fan favourite Blonde and newer album cuts, with Sneaking Out Of Heaven particularly grabbing the audience.
An audibly heavier shift in the band’s sound is clear in how they have chosen to perform their back catalogue live, the influence of politically charged single Ice is clear, with an uptick in harsher edges and guitar tones interweaved with the nu-metal infused speak singing of rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist Awsten Knight.
What strikes most about the entire show is the tightness and rehearsed nature of it, from every on-stage jump, the brief kiss between Awsten and Lead guitarist Geoff Wigington, to the between song banter and even the use of swears (which at one point caused a mother in the audience to physically recoil as her younger son thrashed himself around).
Whilst the energy brought by the crowd definitely carried the show and there was a clear love for WATERPARKS in the room, the show definitely felt as though the crowd’s dedication was carrying the weight rather than the band themselves. Sections of crowd interaction definitely helped to alleviate, but these moments still felt stilted at points with no real connection to the audience bar a few pre-planned cues.
Vocally, Awsten Knight was able to deliver a solid performance that contained a solid energy but lacked a lot for the rawness that their more aggressive guitar tones live would suggest. Even considering this was the back end of a gruelling European tour.
Whilst the clear dedication of the fans definitely showed, and they were in full force to help carry the energy of the show, WATERPARKS delivered a set that felt comparatively safe next to the gripping and spontaneous feel of openers GREYWIND. Whether it was touring induced tiredness, a lack of time to settle into a newer sound, or something else behind the scenes it might be wise to give some time to the group to settle before making the trek to see them on their next set of dates.
Words: Zach Davis
Photos: Jack Walsh
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