Hayley Williams ft. Water From Your Eyes in Boston 4/4

April 5, 2026

Venue

Another venue that I haven't been to since 2012! I was deeply, deeply concerned when we got to the House of Blues and the line to get into the venue was a block long. They had staff pretty far out and at multiple spots checking IDs to get people in faster and it ended up not being too bad. We got there right after doors opened and were able to get a spot near the bar off to the side that still had good visibility.

The venue explicitly disallows camping out the night before, which I appreciate because I think that is a bananas practice and culture that we need to drop. There were still a handful of chairs and blankets left out on the sidewalk from the people that waited in line all day. I hope they came back for them.

Were the drinks overpriced? Yes. Did I buy one after saying I wouldn't? Yes, and I got my husband a hot dog. Mixed drinks were strong and I'd do it again. I wasn't wearing my glasses and accidentally ordered a souvenir cup drink so now I have one of those, too.

The Show

Water From Your Eyes

I have been trying to be nice about bands that I don't like on my website because I don't think there's a lot of value in being negative. Having said that, this band is dogshit. I am completely baffled by this choice of opener. Do I just hate shoegaze?? Is it my fault that I wasn't hyped up by a vocalist who said (I'm paraphrasing obviously) "I'm sleep deprived and don't have a choice whether to be here or not." Am I the problem?? Someone recorded their whole set so you tell me.

Hayley Williams

Setlist

Mirtazapine
Showbiz
Disappearing Man
Zissou
Ice in My OJ
Hard
Kill Me
Blood Bros
Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party
Whim
Glum
Negative Self Talk
True Believer
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (Nina Simone cover)
Brotherly Hate
Love Me Different
Dream Girl in Shibuya
Good Ol' Days
Discovery Channel
I Won't Quit on You
Parachute

Impression

Hayley Williams is, like, THE rock girly of my generation. There is no disputing that. Proof:

I have had Ego Death in heavy rotation since it came out. My only Christmas present request this year was the Team Zissou vinyl variant. I listen to it almost daily. It is such a good album. Hearing her play it live in its entirety was a treat.

The stand-out for me was Blood Bros, which is not actually one of my favorites on the album. I was TRANSFIXED in person, though. Someone got a great recording of it. I love the internet.

But my criticism: Overall the show just didn't hit for me. I feel insane saying that with how hard it was to get tickets. The closest I've come to describing my problem with the show is that the album reads as more of a seated affair for me, and it's playing jump up and down rock venues and periodically trying to be a jump up and down show. But the energy of the songs don't really lend themselves to that in my opinion.

Do I love Hayley? Yes. Would I see her again? It depends on the set and the venue.