Some concerts transcend mere music; they become touchstones of memory, charged with history and personal meaning. That is precisely what Wolf Alice delivered to Finsbury Park on July 5th. This wasn’t just their biggest headline gig yet, following years of relentless touring, but it was a deeply significant moment that felt woven into the very fabric of the community.
The connection between the band and the location added an extra layer of magic. Frontwoman Ellie Rowsell and bassist Theo Ellis grew up not far from North London, and the space where Rowsell and guitarist Joff Oddie first formed the group was just a stone’s throw away. This intimate geography infused the performance with a palpable sense of shared history.
As Wolf Alice stepped onto the stage, the connection to their roots wasn’t hidden; it radiated outward. During a vibrant display that included bursts of white confetti, Rowsell looked out at the audience with genuine joy, wishing them the best day imaginable—a perfect reflection of the positive energy filling the air.
The setlist tonight was a masterclass in balancing the new and the familiar. It moved effortlessly between the recent sounds of their album ‘The Clearing’ and beloved tracks from their extensive back catalogue. The performance offered delightful surprises, starting with the sweet, springy sound of ‘Lisbon’ from ‘My Love Is Cool’, before diving into the stripped-back 2013 B-side ‘White Leather’. The evening culminated in a riotous tribute to punk rock with a cover of Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ in the encore.
Beyond the musical choices, the live experience was electric. Tracks like ‘White Horses’, driven by drummer Joel Amey, transformed the park into a sea of bouncing energy. The anthem ‘Bros’ provided an emotional tribute to the band’s own bond and early days, juxtaposed beautifully by old tour diary videos displayed on giant screens. This gave the audience a front-row seat to their journey.
Wolf Alice explored the full spectrum of their evolving sound, moving from reflective tracks like ‘Visions Of A Life’ to more energetic pieces such as ‘Yuk Foo’ and ‘Smile’. The performance demonstrated that while they respected their history, they were fully engaged in the continuous evolution of their artistic vision.
The climax was pure celebration. Before the final push with ‘Giant Peach’, a giant disco ball descended from the rafters, signaling a moment of shared optimism. As the band finished with blistering energy, Rowsell delivered a message that resonated deeply: “If you’ve got a crush, you should probably tell them. If you want to start a band, you should probably start one.”
The final moments felt like a testament to years of hard work. As the lights framed the stage, spelling out Wolf Alice’s name in glowing bulbs against the silver fringe, it was clear that this performance wasn’t just about music—it was an acknowledgment of their journey. It felt like a powerful nod to the fact that they have grown into one of the very best in the world.
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Credit: NME
