Wolf Alice, tour review: Rampaging powerhouse stay ahead of the rock pack

The band’s resilience was never in doubt during a one-hour set that showed their full range, from thrashing grunge to shoegazing indie and haunting melodies, says Andre Paine
Petulant howl: singer and guitarist Ellie Rowsell on stage at the O2 Forum in Camden
Andre Paine29 March 2016

Nominated for a Grammy, a Brit and the Mercury Prize, Wolf Alice recently had to make do with a couple of NME Awards, including best live band. They seemed determined to live up to that victory with a blistering performance near their Camden stomping ground.

Playing four nights at the Forum, which amounts to an arena show, their Easter residency might have been scuppered when their bassist went down with an elbow infection. But Wolf Alice found a last-minute replacement in Gengahr’s John Victor, who did his best not to appear terrified.

The band’s resilience was never in doubt during a rampaging one-hour set that showed the full range of their debut, from thrashing grunge to shoegazing indie and haunting melodies.

The moshing started early and continued during the quiet-loud dynamic of Your Love’s Whore and the crashing You’re A Germ, featuring singer and guitarist Ellie Rowsell’s petulant howl. The 24-year-old may be the focus of attention for the teenage female fans but Wolf Alice are a group of equals. Guitarist Joff Oddie was the most animated person on stage, while energetic drummer Joel Amey sang lead vocal on Swallowtail.

Although some songs sounded straight out of the Nineties — Freazy was part trip-hop, part This Life theme tune — the breakneck pace was exactly how it should be done. Yet there were also inventive touches, including Oddie’s guitar effects and Rowsell’s dual microphone that switched her voice between breathy and belligerent.

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There was less finesse in early material like the Brit-grunge of Moaning Lisa Smile. But they ended on a high with Rowsell inviting a fan on stage to dance to the churning riffs of Giant Peach amid a glorious glitter explosion

If their second album goes to plan, Wolf Alice will be stepping up to arenas next time.

Playing March 29 (0844 477 2000, o2forumkentishtown.co.uk)

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