Wolf Alice Howls at Newport
With an admission line stretching all the way to Bullwinkles on Monday, my expectations for Wolf Alice were high. It’s safe to say I was not disappointed.
Fresh off opening for Harry Styles during the European leg of his tour, Wolf Alice’s North American tour started September 27 in New York City. Fast forward a week and couple days later, and the British rock band found themselves in Columbus, Ohio.
Luna Li, the opener, brought a fresh sound to the stage. With her dreamy, whimsical voice she encouraged the crowd to let loose and dance the night away. She even brought her violin on stage to play a few instrumental songs with her band. “I wrote this song for meditation, so please feel free to meditate in the audience tonight,” she said as she placed her violin under her chin and began to play a simple melody. The audience soaked in her performance and were in awe of her talent with a violin. To close out her set, her team brought out a cupcake to celebrate Luna’s birthday.
As Luna’s set ended, Newport started to slowly fill up. The top of the venue was not open that night, so the crowd was restricted to the entry level floor only. It was the perfect size. There were quite a few people, but the environment was comfortable.
Wolf Alice opened their set with “Smile,” which is the second single off their newest album, Blue Weekend. The lively band’s energy was infectious. It was obvious that both guitar players were having the time of their lives on the stage. They danced around the stage, and smiles were plastered on their faces for the entirety of the set
Ellie, the lead singer, was more subdued than her guitarists but everyone’s attention was always on her. She has an unrivaled power of commanding the attention of the room, and she knows how to use that to her advantage. Ellie’s presence, along with her powerhouse voice, is a force to be reckoned with.
I listened to Wolf Alice’s music a bit before attending the concert, and I really enjoyed it. It spans across a multitude of genres which is why the band appeals to many different people. Looking out in the audience I saw quite a few parents, millennials and college kids. Wolf Alice provides a sound for everyone which is a rarity in today’s music world.
Their recorded music is nothing compared to seeing Wolf Alice live, though. The passion seeps out of Ellie’s voice, and it is tremendously clear how much the music means to the rest of the band. Her vocals are surprisingly clear and crisp, especially considering how high and demanding some of the notes are. When I think about folky rock music, clear vocals are not the first thing that come to mind. Ellie ensures that her voice is heard throughout the cacophony of loud instruments and interesting synths.
“Encore, encore!” the crowd repeatedly chanted after Wolf Alice rushed off the stage. A couple of minutes later the band ran back onto stage to perform “Last Man on Earth” and “Don’t Delete the Kisses,” which are two fan favorites.
Overall, Wolf Alice’s concert was one of the most entertaining shows I attended. There were so many times I caught myself unconsciously smiling because of how much fun the band was having on stage. My foot was always tapping along with the beat, and there was never a moment that I felt bored. I would attend another Wolf Alice concert in a heartbeat, and I would encourage everyone to check them out if the opportunity arises!
Check out the rest of Wolf Alice’s North American tour dates:
- October 6 – Chicago, IL
- October 7 – Minneapolis, MN
- October 8 – Kansas City, MO
- October 10 – Denver, CO
- October 11 – Salt Lake City, UT
- October 13 – Seattle, WA
- October 14 – Vancouver, Canada
- October 15 – Portland, OR
- October 17 – San Francisco, CA
- October 19 – Los Angeles, CA