I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: December 5, 2017] Wolf Alice

I really enjoyed Wolf Alice’s new record.  I also re-listened to their first and had forgotten how much I liked it.

They were scheduled to play a show in Philly, but it happened to be the same night as something else I was doing.  And then, as if by magic, about two weeks before this date, they announced this show at Wonder Bar.  (The original dates were announced back in Sept).  So there was little fanfare about this show on a rainy night in sleepy Asbury Park (Tuesday night in December is pretty sleepy).

The show was not very crowded, but those of us who were there were really excited (some guys who got there after me knew all the words to every song–the bassist shouted out to them for that).

I was up front, really close to guitarist Joff Oddie, and singer Ellie Rowsell.  And that was a great place to be because Roswell is the voice of the band and Oddie does amazing things with this guitar(s).  Bassist Theo Ellis was on the other side, but his backing vocals and occasional dancing were a highlight.  Drummer Joel Amey hung in the back.  I couldn’t see him all that well, but I could feel his work.

Despite the size of the venue (Wolf Alice have been playing huge festivals in England and their record was in the Top 5 on a few Best of lists there), they totally rocked.  The band sounded fantastic–really tight amid lots of different stylistic changes.  And Roswell’s vocals were great–from her quiet whispers to her powerful croon to some great screams.

The set was particularly interesting because of the way they mixed up slow songs and fast songs and also new songs with older ones.

The noisy shoegazey “Heavewnward” opened and was followed by the all out blast of “Yuk Foo.”  Then two songs from their first album–how much fun it is singing the “eyes wide/eyes wide”part of You’re a Germ–and then back to the new album.

When they played “Don’t Delete the Kisses,”  Ellis pointed to someone in the audience and said “I saw you song the whole song to her, that was beautiful.”

After playing a few of their older songs (hits “Bros, and the cool freak-out of “Lisbon,” she thanked us for letting them play the new songs (as if we’d complain).

It was great hearing Roswell sing the delicate ballad “Planet Hunter.”  Then a terrific dancey “Beautifully Unconventional” and “Formidable Cool” were followed by the moody “Sadboy.”

A show highlight for me was being right in front of Oddie during “Space & Time.”  During this song, which is a pretty standard rocker, he (while using an older guitar) simply made as much of racket as he could–feedback, weird chords, just banging it on everything he could.  And since he was right in front of me I got to see it all.  It was awesome.

The last few songs were just roaring and fantastic.  The 8 plus-minute “Visions of a Life” was just spectacular the way it ebbed and flowed and built and rocked out.  And the set-ender “Fluffy” was a powerful conclusion.

They came back from the encore and Ellis cursed out liquor laws for their fucked up policy of everyone needing to be 21 to see a band.   There was a poor girl standing outside (in the rain) watching the whole set through the window because she wasn’t old enough to get into the tub.   When I left she was still standing there in  the pouring rain. Ugh.  That is bullshit.

They began the encore with a moody version of “Blush” (from the EP) and then ended with the rocking “Giant Peach” to end the show.

The band was great.  The sound was amazing.  I even scored a signed poster (which didn’t get too wet despite me having to run with it through the rain to my car.

I can imagine Wolf Alice getting huge here and I feel very lucky to have seen them in such a small place up close.

Setlist

Heavenward**
Yuk Foo**
You’re a Germ*
Your Loves Whore*
St. Purple & Green**
Don’t Delete The Kisses**
Bros*
Silk*
Lisbon*
Planet Hunter**
Beautifully Unconventional**
Formidable Cool**
Sadboy**
Space & Time**
Moaning Lisa Smile*
Visions Of A Life**
Fluffy*
Encore:
Blush (from the EP)
Giant Peach*

Sky Musings & After the Zero Hour
Turn to Dust & Freazy & Swallowtail & Soapy Water & The Wonderwhy