Wet Leg Live At O2 Forum, Kentish Town
Wet Leg: Images courtesy of @jamiemacphotos via Twitter – Words by Johnny Fry
Either the sound engineer had a slip or Wet Leg deliberately walked on stage to Lord of The Rings music. All of us onlookers were confused and giggly, ready to expect the unexpected. The Isle of White band were probably highly inebriated from their bonkers week of announcements. Releasing their second single ever, ‘Wet Dream’, shredding a Radio 6 live session and announcing their 2022 tour. Not to mention Radio 1’s Clara Amfo declared them her artist of the week. Indicating that Wet Leg aren’t just for the real-ale-drinking-Radio-6-listeners any gig-goer loves and hates, but have a chance of breaking into the mainstream.
Wet Leg stood in a straight line at the front of the stage as if queuing to get another bottle of Corona from their roadie. All with equally straight hair dropping below their shoulders, looking like lost fans at a Jefferson Airplane concert. Wielding their battleaxes of varied coloured guitars, the band resembled a set of Rock ‘n’ Roll Russian dolls. The lad on the left of the stage operating the synth plucked at his guitar with extreme nonchalance, mixing smooth synth lines with staccato guitar riffs. The band acted in blissful synchronicity.
Wet Let Live At O2 Forum Kentish Town
“I can’t understand the lyrics? Is she saying my shades are long? Whatever it is, it’s quite magical” I overheard one boy asking his girlfriend who’d dragged him along. Lead singer, Rhian was actually singing their debut single ‘Chaise Longue’, or ‘posh sofa’ for those of you not versed in classic furniture design. The repetitive phrase splurts over a galvanised guitar riff or a deep and steady kick drum. You know when you repeat a word until it begins to make little sense? Yeah that. The hypnotising repetition, hard whispery vocals and varied dynamics remind me of a PVA tune. The bass lines could be something produced by Le Tigre or maybe even Elastica if you turned it up a bit.
The band’s performance of ‘Wet Dream’, a song about an ex confessing his post break up fantasies is more dance-around-your-bedroom than pogo-in-the-crowd. Resembling Goat Girl-like lulling aesthetics while keeping a danceable drum beat for the crowd to enjoy. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t added Wet Legs’ singles to my playlists and revised their tour dates. Definitely ones to watch out for judging by last night’s performance.
Tickets for Wet Leg’s upcoming tour are on sale Friday 08 October at 9am.
Tags: inhaler / Wet Leg