Wolf Alice send Hippodrome crowd wild

Wolf Alice’s performance at Hippodrome on November 23 was eagerly anticipated, but the four-piece did not disappoint. With queues spilling out of the venue and along Kingston high street, fans waited to get their spot in the crowd.With their Ally Pally (Alexandra Palace) show the following day, the London based band’s energy was not on reserve. With Hippodrome’s intimate capacity, the show was reminiscent of their early days, playing smaller, untamed venues.

The band’s second and long-awaited album has been a huge hit with fans. As  the group have not graced the Hippodrome stage since 2015, the master lyricism and heavier punk vibe was yet to be heard and so created a wild and turbulent crowd. Wolf Alice have landed themselves in new musical territory, expanding into the punk genre, so the set at Hippodrome was an ideal platform for that. 

Fans were anticipating their arrival, as the group were late to the stage, but they quickly redeemed themselves by playing their new track Heavenward. During Formidable Cool and Yuk Foo, fans at the barrier reached for lead singer Ellie Rowsell as she screamed and hissed on stage. Her attire was notably more badass, as she dragged her hands through her slicked back hair.

Theo Ellis’ skinhead haircut upped the 80s punk vibe. Ellis lurched playfully into the crowd, as he waved his bass forward in synchronisation with Rowsell, whilst guitarist Joff Oddie and Joel Amey created fresh riffs from the drums.

Hippodrome may be a sweaty, small-scale music venue in South West London, but it was exactly the location the band needed to showcase the eclecticism and pure genius tracks of their new album.