Fountains of Wayne are getting back together for their first proper shows in 12 years. Although, these shows also have slightly more significance than just any other comeback show.
They actually mark the bands first time performing on stage since the death of bassist and songwriter Adam Schlesinger in 2020.
They’ll play Summerfest in Milwaukee on July 4 and Oceans Calling in Ocean City on September 26, with Eve 6’s Max Collins stepping in on bass. Their last time playing together was a one-off livestream in 2020, where Sharon Van Etten filled in for Schlesinger to raise money for pandemic relief.
Schlesinger wasn’t just the band’s bassist—he was their main songwriter and the driving force behind their sound. He built a career outside of Fountains of Wayne too, writing songs for film and TV, earning Emmys, Grammys, and an Oscar nomination for That Thing You Do! His death from COVID-19 complications in 2020 hit hard, not just for the band but across the entire music industry.
The tributes came in thick and fast. I mean, the man was partly responsible for the writing of Stacy’s Mom. Tom Hanks, who worked with Schlesinger on That Thing You Do!, said, “There would be no Playtone without Adam Schlesinger.” Billie Joe Armstrong covered the song as part of his No Fun Mondays quarantine series, and artists like Chris Carrabba and Lauren Mayberry also paid tribute with their own versions.
Since then, Fountains of Wayne have mostly stayed quiet. Frontman Chris Collingwood kept making music under Look Park. Guitarist Jody Porter also released solo material before his own passing in 2023.
These shows probably won’t lead to a full-time comeback. Nevertheless they’re a rare chance to see a band whose influence goes way beyond the early 2000s power-pop explosion.
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