If there’s anything that should be known about Waterparks, it’s their undeniable commitment to putting on one hell of a show. The genre-defying Texan trio emerged onto the scene over a decade ago and have since evolved into one of the most interesting acts in the modern alternative world. With frontman Awsten Knight, guitarist Geoff Wigington and drummer Otto Wood, the band crafts a live setting that’s chaotically fun for every person in the room, diehard fan or not.
Currently on the North American leg of The Prowler Tour, they brought the riot to New Jersey with a stop at Starland Ballroom on Nov. 22. With an intricately detailed stage design, massive setlist and hints towards their forthcoming era scattered throughout, this tour serves as a celebration of the past, present and future of Waterparks.
Jhariah was the first opener of the night, delivering a fierce performance that blended sounds of almost every genre, from emo and hardcore to hip-hop and dance. The crowd was off their feet and falling in love with the Brooklyn-based musician for the entire 30 minutes they were on stage.
Starland Ballroom was transported to an underwater oasis once Chloe Moriondo opened her set with “abyss.” From earlier indie-pop staples like “Bodybag” and “I Eat Boys” to her dive into hyperpop with “girls with gills” and “Hell Hounds,” the singer offered the crowd a taste of her diverse catalog as she happily bounced across the stage. Moriondo created a fun, uplifting energy that proved the world really is her oyster.
Though many eagerly waited for Waterparks to hit the stage as it grew closer to showtime, the anticipation began long before doors opened at 6pm. From the excitement of the initial tour announcement to showing up early that morning in hopes of securing a front-row view, the Waterparks community’s love for the trio and connection with each other is unlike any other. It’s not every day that you see the type of bond that this fan base holds through a shared passion and adoration for an artist, especially one that’s shared amongst each other and with the band themselves.
Before you knew it, the lights finally dimmed and an introductory video that mimics The Truman Show invited the audience to the moment they’d all been waiting for: The Waterparks Show. The show was separated into four acts: Happiness, Sadness, Anticipation and Anger. Happiness is up first with a short video explaining what’s ahead as Waterparks explore these human emotions through the lens of their discography.
Not a frown was in sight as the trio kicked off this section with one of their biggest hits, “Stupid For You.” The crowd loudly sang back every word as an endless river of crowdsurfers soared through the air. The Prowler Tour set also includes a few interactive parts, which allow fans to choose between some beloved and underrated tracks. The first decision was between “Telephone” and “Peach (Lobotomy),” with the second option ultimately coming out on top.
Another video transitioned us into the Sadness section as the narrator proclaimed, “Now, it’s time to get into something I think everyone in this room is all too familiar with.” This part of the show included some of the most vital emotional pieces of Waterparks’ discography, including “High Definition,” “Crybaby,” “I Felt Younger When We Met,” and the fan-chosen “Gloom Boys.”
Things became a bit more stripped-down and high-stakes once Knight grabbed his acoustic guitar. Here, the singer essentially did whatever he wanted for a special surprise song section of the set. He took suggestions from the crowd and played snippets of songs that’ll likely send Twitter into flames once notified. New Jersey was spoiled with performances of “Snow Globe,” “We Need To Talk,” “Mad All The Time” and even “Fantastic,” a track from the band’s debut EP that hasn’t been played live since 2016.
Anticipation followed with all of Waterparks’ latest releases, including a snippet of an unreleased track whose title may sound a bit familiar: “PROWLER.” Knight delivered a heartfelt sentiment thanking the fans for their incredible response to the three newest singles and for their patience with this album cycle taking a little longer than usual. This section of the show concluded with a touching performance of their latest effort, “ANY MINUTE NOW,” and it was hard to find any dry eyes in the house.
Anger came in heavy as the narrator teased the fourth and final section stating, “The next 10 minutes are going to get vengeful.” While the crowdsurfing and moshing were non-stop all night, the energy only intensified as “TANTRUM” began. “REAL SUPER DARK” and “Turbulent” continued to build upon that dynamic, with both the crowd and band giving each other everything they had left in these final minutes of the show. “LIKE IT” served as the encore and brought the night to a close, with Knight encouraging everyone to crowdsurf and “get up here and shake [his] hand.”
If you’ve never seen Waterparks live, now is a pretty good time to change that. With top-notch production, hilarious commentary and razor-sharp stage presence, The Prowler Tour is the trio’s most theatrical and immersive live experience to date. Waterparks continue to prove themselves as a band worthy of attention with their unwavering dedication to their craft and community, especially on this tour.
The Prowler Tour continues across the United States through Dec. 18 before heading overseas to the UK/EU in early 2026. Tickets and information for all of Waterparks’ upcoming dates can be found here.
