Wolf Alice take over the Hydro and bring the house down whilst promoting their fourth album, The Clearing
Wolf Alice have been the soundtrack to a generation, masters of emotional range and creating songs teenagers and twenty-somethings have grown up alongside. Their music has fuelled heartbreak, shaped life decisions, cushioned failures, and celebrated triumphs. Recently, they brought all of that history to Glasgow’s OVO Hydro, playing for a crowd full of lovers, best friends, and hopeless romantics all of whom appreciate their songs. Following the release of their newest album The Clearing, the band have been moving across Europe, and last night proved exactly why they remain one of the most compelling live acts of their generation.
A glittering set shimmered behind frontwoman Ellie Rowsell, who looked, as always, as though she was born for the stage, born to be a rockstar. The band’s presence was palpable from the moment they stepped into the light, rowdy but somehow collected, in a way that reflects the changes in their sound over the years. Each band member is incredibly talented in their own right, and their collective energy is contagious. The musical style of The Clearing is a shift toward something more mature – the grown up version of their angsty teenage work. Hearing their new tracks live reveals just how versatile Wolf Alice have become.
Rowsell stomped across the stage, glowering and dressed in her unmistakable bodysuit and boots combination. She held the audience in the palm of her hand, her voice at times little more than a whisper. There were moments where it felt as though the entire arena was holding its breath, suspended in collective awe.
“Play It Out”, the band’s tribute to womanhood, became one of the night’s emotional peaks. The arena fell into a rare silence as Rowsell commanded the room. It was the kind of moment only Wolf Alice seems to create, intimate yet communal.
But it wasn’t all softness. When the band played their heavier tracks, old favourites like “You’re a Germ” and “Yuk Foo”, the Hydro erupted and the band matched that energy. Their ability to switch between grunge and dream pop is the secret to their longevity. This setlist reflected their duality, new songs alongside old staples, it reiterated to me how far their sound has come.
Highlights from The Clearing included “Leaning Against the Wall” and “Bread Butter Tea Sugar”, which showcased the band’s sound development and what they have become capable of in their recent years. Their sound has developed alongside their fanbase, and their more orchestral leanings proved that they are capable of a sound and arrangement much larger than a simple rock band.
The crowd, as always in Glasgow, delivered. They shouted every lyric, jumped up and down, and filled the space with an energy that is unique to the city. By the time the encore arrived closing with “Don’t Delete the Kisses”, who was more excited by this? It was difficult to tell, as the band brought an energy that rivalled the crowds.
Wolf Alice didn’t just perform last night; they reminded everyone why they matter. Why the band has lasted. Why and how they continue to evolve. It was a show that felt intimate, energetic and a true reflection of what the band are capable of. It was a reminder that some bands aren’t just the soundtrack of a generation, they are ones who shape it.