Wet Leg at Kentish Town Forum
Wet Leg have had a wild year or so, going from being relative unknowns to global indie sensations thanks to quirky Gen Z anthem Chaise Longue and well-received follow-ups that formed the spine of an impressive debut album. In fact, their rise has been so precipitous that next year they will support none other than pop superstar Harry Styles and Britpop veterans Pulp.
As a live band they can be a brilliant watch, the duo of Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers having eclectic musical inspirations – from Bjork to the Ronettes via punk and post-punk – and a quirky sense of fun that comes through in their lyrics and onstage.
Although there’s not quite the crackle in the air one felt when they began touring in the spring (spurred by the rare but exhilarating sight of an indie band echoing the sensibilities of a younger generation with genuine star quality), the tunes still feel fresh, despite having become favourites of TV music supervisors.
The floaty, vaguely psychedelic Being in Love is followed by Wet Dream, a thumping, driving hit that may be even catchier than their breakthrough track. Their set is mostly a tour through their debut record, with singalong fan favourites Oh No and Ur Mum delivered with gusto – the latter a fantastically childish take on romantic problems that features what’s become a signature moment of crowd participation, Teasdale joining in with fans on her “longest, loudest” scream.
These bookend a couple of unreleased tracks: I Want to Be Abducted (by a UFO) is true to their punky, fun vibes, never letting the angst that so many groups feel is an obligation get in the way of being wonderfully silly; then there’s the haunting, dreamy electronica of Obvious, spacey with touches of eccentric 1960s producer Joe Meek.
The songs are economical and unflashy, even while excellently crafted, their lyrics addressing still getting off your face when you’re “almost 28” and the aimless hanging around of youthful downtime. It makes one think Chambers and Teasdale have little time for pretentiousness. It also makes it feel like they race through a set, and, before we know it, it’s time for Angelica, their ode to bad house parties, and of course signature song Chaise Longue to conclude matters in rambunctious fashion.
With some groups, delight at their success can be accompanied by sadness one won’t get the experience of seeing them unvarnished, up-close and fresh again – especially when they are unlikely to be booking small venues like the Forum for long. But with Wet Leg, one is just excited to see what they will do next.
Mark Worgan
Photos: Miguel de Melo
For further information and future events visit Wet Leg’s website here.
Watch the video for the single Chaise Longue here:
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