Wolf Alice treated a massive crowd to an electrifying performance at their biggest headline show to date, featuring a surprise cover of Nirvana's iconic "Smells Like Teen Spirit." The emotional homecoming concert, held at Finsbury Park, showcased a setlist that blended beloved hits with deeper cuts for their dedicated fanbase.
A Carefully Curated Setlist
The band, who signed with Sony in 2024, incorporated elements of stadium-level stagecraft into their performance. The setlist, largely mirroring their recent festival appearances, included rare outings for "Lisbon," a high-energy track from their debut album, and "White Leather," a delicate ballad that was originally the b-side to their 2012 single "Fluffy." Lead singer Ellie Rowsell performed "White Leather" while perched on a podium at the back of the stage, framed by a large glittery star.
To enhance their sound for the larger venue, the band was joined by an honorary fifth member, Ryan Malcolm, who added keyboard and additional rhythm guitar. Confetti cannons were deployed to punctuate their biggest songs, and Rowsell even underwent a mid-set costume change, swapping a white outfit for black attire to cope with the summer heat.
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High-Energy Performances
The concert reached a fever pitch during a particularly intense segment featuring "Yuk Foo," "Play the Greatest Hits," and "Smile." The latter, a powerful takedown of misogyny, was driven by a heavy bassline. The band matched the music's intensity on stage, with guitarist Joff Oddie throwing his instrument and singer Ellie Rowsell climbing the drum riser and using a megaphone.
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Following this energetic burst, the band transitioned into their most popular hits, including "Lipstick on the Glass" and "The Last Man on Earth." The show concluded with "Don't Delete The Kisses," a song Rowsell introduced as being about love, prompting a fan to express their affection for the singer. The dreamy synths of the song's anthemic chorus then filled the venue.