“It felt like we were being catfished!” bassist Allie Sheldan tells me about the experience of opening that fateful email. “How did it happen? How did they find us? And why were they emailing us through our neglected Bandcamp, of all places?” she adds, explaining that they didn’t think it was real at first. Over a decade ago, I saw Allie and her brother Kurtis do a White Stripes cover band where Allie was Jack and Kurtis was Meg, so needless to say this was a HUGE deal to all of us – but especially Allie, who I should add is currently still on crutches after busting her ankle at their last show for Juno Fest.

On top of hand-selecting local bands to open for him on this tour, Jack is also offering students $20 tickets to all of his sold out shows, making it an incredibly accessible experience for younger fans. The music industry as we know it is changing and Jack is definitely a beacon of hope amidst the bullshit of overpriced tickets and an impossible-to-break-into market. “Jack is using his station in life and within the music industry for good, for helping out the little guy. It’s so cool,” says Allie. “When it comes down to it, usually people in positions of power make decisions that serve the singular instead of the whole. Jack White is so intentionally not doing that—it’s hard to emphasize enough how special that is.” I couldn’t agree more! Not to be hyperbolic, but I truly think that if more bigger acts followed in Jack’s footsteps, we would start to see real change in this failing industry.

This isn’t WAIT//LESS’s first time playing the Commodore: almost a year ago to the day they opened for D.O.A. on the same legendary stage. It’s undeniable that they have something very special and I’m happy to see more people taking note. When I asked Allie what this band means to her, she said “strength, freedom, safety, laughter, friendship, DSA, creativity, and release,” and as an audience member and collaborator, I absolutely feel that too. “And martinis, Guinness, Caesars, depending on the weather and time of day,” she adds. In case you were wondering, this band is also about FUN. 

After a crazy hectic load in through the gross alleys of Granville Street and dodging a bunch of dudes trying to get an autograph from Jack, we were finally able to relax and let loose in their green room. Show days always move so fast; it’s truly a whirlwind where time ceases to exist. I stood on stage for their soundcheck, singing every word, and watching them in their element. In a blink of the eye, the empty room was now full to the brim and WAIT//LESS was taking the stage for real. 

WAIT//LESS delivered a wild set of nine songs in exactly 30 minutes, down to the second. Opening with a new song, “Proud,” lead singer Rebecca White had the audience in awe. I’ve seen this band more times than I can count and Rebecca surprises me every time with her strength and confidence on stage. It’s beautiful to watch your friends doing their thing, and doing it so fucking well. 

I had the photo pit to myself and I used every inch of it to dance and sing along whilst photographing. That is my happy place and I would live there if I could. 

After their set, we went out for some fresh air and fangirled over each other. Before we got too emo, we were interrupted by the wailing guitar sounds blaring through the alleyway, obviously coming from Jack himself, who had now taken the stage. We ran back in, walking behind the stage as “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” played. I kept grabbing Allie, almost as a way to pinch myself that we were here and this was real.

I’m so proud of my friends and I will cherish this night forever. In terms of what you can expect from WAIT//LESS next, the possibilities are endless! Their first full length album is coming out this summer and they’re already writing and recording their follow-up album. “Buy yourself a cassette player now in anticipation,” Allie hints. 

Catch WAIT//LESS at WRESTLECORE at the Rickshaw on Friday, May 30