Following their dynamic debut album Infinitely Ordinary and their cathartic breakup sophomore album Sonder, Los Angeles based pop rock band The Wrecks have returned for the first time in three years with new music with INSIDE: an EP marking the first half of a two part project. To celebrate, the band is bringing INSIDE: OUTSIDE, a six week tour stretching across the US. Though it was late in the evening when the doors of 9:30 Club opened for the Washington, D.C. stop of the tour, the audience was far from tired. The energy in the space was practically palpable, the sold out crowd buzzing with excitement throughout the opening sets of singer-songwriter Benjamin Carter and alt-rockers Quarters of Change. It was just after midnight when The Wrecks took the stage to explosive cheers amongst the title track of their sophomore album, “Sonder.” The four piece, consisting of Nick Anderson (vocals), Aaron Kelley (bass), Nick “Schmizz” Schmidt (guitar), and Billy Nally (drums) are full of energy throughout the set, and the crowd gives their energy back in return.

No two shows on the INSIDE: OUTSIDE Tour are the same. The Wrecks’ live shows are lively and energetic, often shuffling the setlist to accommodate requests and filled with unscripted moments involving fans to make an incredibly memorable show. A fan named Gracie was invited on stage to sing girlhouse’s verse from “Where Are You Now?” (and performed it beautifully). Another fan provided an elaborate set up involving juggling balls to choose the next song on the setlist: Kelley was tasked with juggling three balls labeled A, B, and C, and whichever letter landed on the ground first would decide the song corresponding to a list similarly labeled A, B, and C (spoiler: every letter was labeled with “I Don’t Know”). Another group of fans was sporting glow sticks and carrying balloons that spelled “party” – when asked what they were celebrating their answer was graduation. In response, Anderson invited anyone who had or would be graduating this year to the center of the pit to lead the moshing for “This Life I Have” (and the party balloons survived through the raging). By cultivating a close relationship with their listeners and providing such a unique show, these moments show how The Wrecks are enjoying this tour just as much as the fans are.

Anderson had previously spoken about some of the imagery used for INSIDE: and how it relates to the themes of the record, stating that it is “about being locked away for so long that the outside world eventually starts growing in through the cracks in the walls.” True to their tour name, the set design has brought the outside indoors to convey this statement, the stage overflowing with greenery and draped with fake plants. To the left is a sofa shrouded in ivy, to the right is a cluster of small trees with a string of laundry hung to dry, and the stage floor is covered in faux-grass. Nally and his drum kit sit atop a platform nestled in ferns; behind him is a backdrop resembling window blinds emblazoned with the band’s name.

INSIDE: is an introspective self-reflection brought on by isolation – a study of personal growth, perspective, and creation. While this sounds rather heavy in theory, The Wrecks have a way of making it seem not so imposing. Anderson often employs a narrative style of lyricism, relaying his struggles with mental health and relationships, but he does so in a relatable and almost quirky way. Their sound follows a similar juxtaposition, with heavier lyrics contrasting upbeat instrumentals. In doing so, the band is able to express their hardships while proving they are able to take these experiences and grow from them, leaving the listener with a hopeful outlook on these topics.

A perfect example from their discography to illustrate this is “I Didn’t Use To,” an indie rock track from INSIDE: that explores insecurity. The lyrics begin on the same path a spiral of overthinking might: “Am I staying too late?/Am I talking too much?/Was I better off before I knew whether I was?” Yet as the song goes on, there is a shift in which the overthinking becomes contemplation: “I’m doing by best/It’s all I have left” and finally shifts into affirmations: “I am capable/I stand 6 feet high/I hold records in sports/My range is four octaves wide.” Similarly, “Infinitely Ordinary,” the title track from their debut record and one I hope never comes off the setlist, echoes the phrase “I think I could get used to this/I think I could get used to this life” in a repetitive manner that makes the listener truly believe it.

During the final song of the night, fan favorite “Favorite Liar,” a confetti cannon bursts into the air, dotting the grass carpet with color. Taking a moment to look up as thousands of rainbow papers float through the venue, time seemed to slow down as the cheers became deafening while the final notes of the song drew out. The Wrecks put on a show incredibly full of life; despite ending at 1:30 in the morning, the crowd was so energized they could have gone on for another hour.

The INSIDE: OUTSIDE Tour will continue through the end of May.