Taking the stage with drama, mind-blowing instrumentals, and effortlessly impressive vocals, Wolf Alice held the breath of everyone in Glasgow’s OVO Hydro last night. After a three year break from touring, it was clear they were ready to be back.
Touring for their newest album released in August, The Clearing, which is not as widely loved as their previous projects, the live performance did some heavy lifting. Whilst the songs on The Clearing are okay, they were out-of-this-world incredible live.
Lead vocalist Ellie Rowsell was born to be on stage. She belts out notes I couldn’t ever dream of hitting like it’s nothing to her, even when she’s laying down on the stage.
Guitarist Joff Oddie and bassist Theo Ellis worked their instruments expertly, making quite the duo of instrumentalists that I couldn’t take my eyes off of. Joel Amey on the drums deserves all the appreciation he receives, he was captivating.
Ryan Malcolm joined the band for the tour, providing backing vocals and working the piano.
The Openers
Canadian singer Bria Salmena was the first to take the stage. Performing to the half-empty arena at seven pm, she provided a nice background noise to finding our seats. Whilst not a stand-out performance, she was interesting and a good way to keep the crowd entertained as we waited for Wolf Alice to come on at nine.
The second act, Sunflower Bean, a trio from New York City, were marginally better. Clear vocals, impressive instrumentals, and an electric stage presence, Sunflower Bean knew how to work the crowd. Their indie rock sound fit right in with Wolf Alice’s demographic, getting the audience hyped for the main event.
Stage Design
Glittering and eye-catching, the stage for Wolf Alice demanded attention. Rowsell emerged from behind silver streamers to stand above the rest of the band. The elevated stage spun in circles, rotating Rowsell during the performance of White Horse and The Sofa.
A shining disco ball periodically emerged from the skies, illuminating the band as they brought the show to an end with Don’t Delete the Kisses.
The Main Event
Emerging from her silver streamers, Rowsell and the band began with Thorns, a slow build ballad that shows off their natural talents.
The lead single from The Clearing, Bloom Baby Bloom, followed in style. Energetic, loud, and upbeat, it set the tone for the evening.
Wolf Alice played a few of their long-lasting hits from previous albums, encouraging the crowd to sing along with How Can I Make It Ok?, Bros and Delicious Things.
Healthy competition with previous cities and expression of rage were incited with the band’s demand for Glasgow to shout “you fucked with my feelings” during the Safe From Heartbreak (If I Never Fall in Love).
The stand out performance of the night goes to Play The Greatest Hits. Police sirens sounded, the lights flashed blue and red, the guitarist’s hands moved faster than light, and then, there Rowell was, megaphone mic in hand, the star of the show, making megaphone singing sound normal.
It was electric. I simply couldn’t take my eyes away from the stage. I felt the bass in my bones, the vibrations in my seat. My eardrums surely burst but it was worth it.
They “ended” on Smile, a fan-favourite from Blue Weekend. Equally as jaw-dropping as every other performance, no one wanted the show to end.
Luckily, the band came back for an encore. The slower tear-jerker The Last Man on The Earth preceded Don’t Delete The Kisses. Two songs that define their sound, there couldn’t have been a more perfect way to end the night.
What a show. What performers. Wolf Alice, come back to Glasgow as soon as you can, the people here love you. Five out of five stars. Wow.
Featured Image Credit: Courteney Pearson.
Braw Magazine co-editor for Stirling University’s Brig and a third year English and Journalism student.
