‘Shut Up And Dance’ is Walk The Moon’s runaway hit. You know the tune even if you might not know the name of the band. They brought their infectiously fun show to Melbourne, leading the crowd in choreographed dancing to their chart-topping songs.
I’ve been a fan ever since a music writer pal tweeted about them four years ago. ‘If this video doesn’t make you happy, nothing will,’ she wrote, with a link to their song ‘Anna Sun’. (Trust me, you know the number, even if you don’t know the name.) I gave the video a whirl, then watched it 17 times in quick succession. 20-year-old me would’ve had a huge crush on lead singer Nick Petriccia in ‘Anna Sun’, all floppy hair and dimples. He’s since shaved the locks and now sports a multi-coloured pastel mowhawk-cum-mullet that my +1 dubbed says looks like a unicorn. That’s a compliment.
It’s been fun watching Walk The Moon’s ascent from Cincinnati, Ohio band to headlining acts. They played Northcote Social Club a few years ago, hit Howler last year. They even guest starred with one Miss Taylor Swift. This visit, they’re the headliners instead of openers. With support from Aussie band The Griswolds, they sold out 170 Russell and moved to the larger venue of The Forum. If they keep up with the hits, methinks we might be seeing a stadium tour in the not-so-distant future.
That’s what Walk The Moon is so good at: catchy, fun hooks, soaring choruses, pounding rhythms. I don’t know how Petriccia keeps up his energy, constantly playing different instruments (piano, tambourine) – let alone his voice. The boy’s got a great falsetto. He’s mesmerizing to watch, and interacts with fellow bandmates so they get a bit of the spotlight, too. The gang even did a timely cover of David Bowie’s ‘Let’s Dance’, which the crowd loved. But the most fun? When Petriccia led us in choreographed arm movements and jumps. I’ve never seen hundreds of people in sync like that. Their songs — whose lyrics can be described as ‘Midwestern nice’ — lend themselves to unbridled happiness.
Walk The Moon appeal to everyone: those who know every lyric, hold up lighters and home-made signs; and those who don’t know the songs, but want to have a fabulous night out dancing and singing along to choruses. I can’t wait to see them again.
– Theresa
Co-founder of The Plus Ones, Theresa loves going to gigs so much she doesn’t know why she isn’t heading to one on a weekly basis.
Visit www.walkthemoonband.com to download their albums and become a fan.
