It was a two hour drive up north, but well worth it. I have been following Wolf Alice since 2015. So each time they sing “Planet Hunter” off their second album Visions of A Life, the lyrics : “I left My mind Behind In 2015” hits me on a deeper level. But anyways, their first song of the night was none other than their smashing hit Smile. The mischievous bass line played by bassit Theo set the scene. He always creates a very engaging energy with his ability to address the crowd. He’s definitely an entertainer and always encourages the crowd to sing back, let loose and enjoy the music. After all, that’s what everyone is there for right? I watched the band from the pit and could feel everyone’s energy increase with each track. The ground was shaking. Although Joff, the guitarist, was absent for most of this tour, Joe Keefe did an excellent job filling in the role. Kudos to both of them as musicians, many Wolf Alice tracks have some crazy good guitar lines. I also wanted to highlight how incredibly the band performed “How Can I Make it Ok.” Drummer Joel and their live keyboard musician did a wonderful job on the backing vocals. This band is a strong collective unit. Everyone is integral. This track specifically is my favourite off the new record and it was wonderful hearing it live.
The band’s setlist consisted of 17 tracks. It heavily included songs from their latest release Blue Weekend. They did make sure to include some fan favourites such as “Bros” and “Moaning Lisa Smile.” I think in total I have attended four or five Wolf Alice shows throughout the years, but one thing that always hits me is how much this band has perfect their sound. Ellie’s vocals can be haunting, fierce, and on occasion as light as air. She truly has such a lovely voice. Her range is most noticeable when she switches from a beautifully soft rendition of “No Hard Feelings” to a screaming and powerful belter in “Giant Peach.” It’s impressive how much control she has. The crowd was certainly enthralled. She has a way of singing as if she is telling a story. Closing with “Don’t Delete The Kisses”, a personal favourite of mine, it felt like a bittersweet moment. The song makes you feel nostalgic or reminds you of a lover you’re with now or from before. I just really enjoy how Ellie sings songs with such emotion. The sad part was realizing that we had come to the end of their set. As a band, Wolf Alice is a force to be reckoned with. If I have learned anything from seeing them, it is that they never fail to impress and they just keep improving over the years. I look forward to the next time they tour the states and am eager for whatever new music they’re cooking.
WOLF ALICE
Photos & Review by Jen Machuca | Exclusively for Music, Why Not!