Tuesday 7 November 2017

On Stage: Wolf Alice @ Melkweg



Things are moving fast for British band Wolf Alice, who are starting to make it big in their home country, selling out larger venues every new tour. Their new album Visions Of A Life proves that is for a good reason, where they didn't repeat themselves but broadened their sound instead, moving between hard grunge to mellow pop rock.

Wolf Alice @ Melkweg Amsterdam, November 3 2017



Across the canal things are progressing a bit more slow although the last time I saw them play, it was in the much smaller Bitterzoet venue. Now they are on at the biggest stage of the Melkweg and despite the many British fans it hasn't sold out. It did fill up nicely though and the young band treat us to a solid show.



The band looks very professional and confident on stage. They could have chosen a much easier road in their music, going for big stadium anthems. But instead they show diversity and intelligent songs that are well written and have plenty of variety. It is something that becomes clear tonight as well. Instead of knocking out big banging rockers one by one, they play a nice mix of hard rocking grunge songs like 'Yuk Foo' and 'Fluffy' alternating with quieter ones like 'Don't Delete The Kisses' and 'Planet Hunter' that ask more of their audience. The band are showing a lot of progress and don't have to rely on explosive parts to please their fans.



Despite some moments during their set where the band doesn't choose to go for the easy pleasers, they make sure to never lose the crowd. Singer Ellie Rowsell keeps her distance from the crowd but has enough charisma to keep the attention, while it's bass player Theo Ellis who keeps firing up everyone when he feels their attention is slipping. Sometimes the group does go into one of their heavier songs to give the crowd exactly what they want but not all the time. Especially the new songs pack enough variety in itself to keep it going. The band is teasing a lot and this way makes sure they don't run out of steam before the end of the show. It's only a matter of time before this band will conquer the whole continent. It may take a few more years and a couple of records but I'm sure by then they will be one of the bigger acts.



All Pictures

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Setlist:
01. Heavenward
02. Yuk Foo
03. You're a Germ
04. Your Loves Whore
05. St. Purple & Green
06. Don't Delete The Kisses
07. Formidable Cool
08. Silk
09. Lisbon
10. Planet Hunter
11. Beautifully Unconventional
12. Moaning Lisa Smile
13. Sadboy
14. Space & Time
15. Bros
16. Visions Of A Life
17. Fluffy
Encore
18. Blush
19. Giant Peach


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