A couple years ago for my birthday my boyfriend at the time very kindly treated me with tickets to see The 1975 at the Brixton Academy in London.
Little did I know that they would have their show stolen by one of their support acts – Wolf Alice.
Since then I have become a massive fan and was overjoyed by the release their debut album, My Love is Cool, therefore I obviously jumped at the opportunity to see them play again.
It’s been a while since I’ve been to the O2 ABC and I haven’t felt like I’ve had the energy or patience to get anywhere near the front of a gig recently, but tonight’s show is an exception as we find a spot relatively near the stage ready for the show.
The band’s arrival is met by loud chants of “Wolf Alice” (to the melody of Tag Team ‘Whoomp! There It Is’ no less) showing the strength of their growing fanbase who are drawn to their dreamy grunge-pop tunes and effortlessly cool nature.
Like most I must admit I’m envious of (and slightly fancy) front-woman Ellie Rowsell, tonight she wears a simple black dress, but has covered her face in glitter making her look even more magical than usual, however my both my eyes and ears are drawn to the band’s backing singer who is sadly tucked away at the back of the stage, her vocals beautifully compliment Rowsell’s creating enchanting harmonies, which captive the audience.
Tonight Wolf Alice plays their entire debut album in full along with some additional crowd-pleasers thrown in.
‘Freazy’ and ‘Bros’ are highlights as their catchy melodies encourage me to sing-a-long with the rest of the crowd.
I’m pleased to hear ‘Lisbon’, as it possibly my favourite track of the new album and sounds just as good live as it does on record.
After the relatively soft ‘Swallowtail’, sung by Drummer Joel Amey, Roswell returns to the mic to really get the crowd moving.
The heavier ‘Fluffy’ causes the crowd to form a mosh pit in the middle of the floor, however while a number of punters decide crashing into each other is a good idea the majority just look like their having a great time as they continue to jump and dance nonstop through the rest of the set.
Closer and new single ‘You’re a Germ’ gives the crowd one final opportunity to really let themselves go, however they still want more and to their pleasure Wolf Alice oblige by returning to play a three track encore, including personal favourites ‘Turn to Dust’ and title track of their first EP ‘Blush’, before calling it a relativity early night, leaving time for the ABC to get ready for their Saturday club night.
Words: Jess Lavin totally fancies the editor
Photos: Derek Robertson
