Wolf Alice – Leeds Academy – 18/11/17
Releasing a second album is always a daunting task when your debut full length is certified gold, and boasts nominations for multiple awards from the likes of the Brits to the Grammys. This isn’t the norm for most debut albums, however for Wolf Alice this is very much the case. ‘Visions Of A Life’ is Wolf Alice’s answer to their debut ‘My Love Is Cool’, and it’s an incredible effort to say the least. Now with two albums worth of fantastic tracks and a solid live reputation, it’s no surprise to find Wolf Alice’s tour sold out in so many cities across the UK.
We find ourselves at Leeds academy part way through their headline tour in support of their newly released album, and the atmosphere is growing rapidly as we eagerly await Wolf Alice (10) to take the stage. For many, it’s the first time we will have heard some of their brand new tracks live, and we don’t have to wait long for that to happen. ‘Heavenward’ opens the set calmly in beautiful fashion, before the furious ‘Yuk Foo’ kicks up the first mosh pits of the night beneath frontwoman Ellie Rowsell, glowing centre stage under a piercingly bright spotlight on a dark stage as she tears through the track with great intent.
‘You’re a Germ’ continues to keep the crowd on their feet as well as the band, particularly guitarist Joff Oddie who continuously throws himself around his side of the stage covering every space available. From here on, we’re thrown back and forth from old tracks from ‘My Love Is Cool’ to the newer material taken from ‘Visions Of A Life’. As ever, ‘Bros’, ‘Lisbon’, and ‘Moaning Lisa Smile’ have everyone singing and bouncing along proving their status as fan favourites cementing their place in the setlist. Noticeably ‘Freazy’ is missing from the set, but with so much new material to keep us on our toes, it’s difficult to complain.
‘Don’t Delete the Kisses’ has everyone hypnotised by Ellie’s beautiful vocals, as well as the sparkling disco ball spinning lights around the room making everything look as amazing as it sounds. Other new tracks such as ‘Formidable Cool’, ‘Planet Hunter’ and recent single ‘Beautifully Unconventional’ all stand out in the setlist as gems live, and will likelt stick in Wolf Alice’s set for some time to come.
‘Fluffy’ kicks up quite the fuss on the academy floor with some moshing madness only encouraged by the frontwoman, proving some of the older tracks will always spark a reaction from their committed fan base.
Wolf Alice have always been a great live band, but recently it does feel like they have somehow upped their game at their live shows, and it rubs off on their fans as everyone makes as much noise as possible throughout the show from the first not to the very last. Jeremy Corbyn chants pull the band back to the stage with humoured grins painted across their faces, before ‘Giant Peach’ closes the night off perfectly sparking an explosive reaction from the crowd as they burst into life for the bouncy guitar riffs in the breakdown, following Ellie screaming ferociously in the face of the fans at the barrier.
There really is little to fault Wolf Alice on, and the way things are going 2018 could well be up for grabs by one of the UK’s new favourite bands.
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Review & Photos: © Danny Peart Photography
