Austin, Texas
Stacey Lovett
British alt-rock band, Wolf Alice, hit Austin’s Emo’s on the first of three Texas dates supporting their latest album Blue Weekend. This marks their third studio release and drew a considerable crowd to celebrate the band’s continued success from the acclaimed album.
Pasadena indie-rocker Charlie Hickey opened the night fresh off his SXSW shows last month in Austin joining Wolf Alice on this leg of their tour. His songs elicit the coming of age emotions we all push through which he so dreamily captures from the heart. The set definitely drew the interest of the younger crowd. However, notes of nostalgia he conjures up in the moment have a special way that speaks to everyone. He connects with a similar Phoebe Bridgers-esque lyrical catharsis – fitting as he records under her label Saddest Factory Records – but in a way that spearheads a genre based in sonic connection; one that’s emerged out of the events of the past few years and continues to reach fans in a deeper way when they’re unleashed live.
Check out all our Wolf Alice and other concert photos on Austin 101 Magazine.
The buzz that Blue Weekend created in the world of music critics definitely spilled into Wolf Alice fans across the pond here in Austin in the hour and a half set they delivered at iconic Emo’s. Soaking up the US soil and the love they received for the new tunes they debuted, nearly the entire album plays up to the moment. The band even dedicated a song to a fan from Leeds (UK) they had met outside a bar the night before.
Drink glasses rose again as the audience toasted bassist Theo Ellis’ 30th birthday, the band shared shots onstage under a celebratory banner. The personable approach onstage matched the manner in which they reach their audience; with emotive lyrics and the power that Ellie Rowsell belts out. As another female frontwoman on the indie rock scene who’s making considerable waves not only in her respective art, but as a member of a group that’s been traditionally marginalized in the industry. This deeply feminine powerful voice is seeing a 90s-like resurgence in popularity.
With the sonic transcendence they often experiment with, they finished out their genre-bending set to perfection as they tested out the new ever-evolving material on a live audience. The band will return to America in September for the fall leg of their tour.
Check out the set list from the show.
