Wolf Alice at Finsbury Park

Wolf Alice’s trajectory in just over a decade across four albums has been the stuff every band dreams about, with an adoring fanbase and critical acclaim aplenty. Tonight marks their biggest headline show to date, and it’s only fitting it’s on their home turf in this particular corner of London.

The all-day event’s lineup is excellent, consisting of Florence Road, Keo, Rachel Chinouriri, Lykke Li and The Last Dinner Party. Chinouriri and TLDP stand out as both bring their A-game and are undaunted by the impressively-sized afternoon crowd, with the former’s summery indie-pop and the latter’s thunderous baroque rock enthusiastically received.

Then, the main event. With the stage bedecked entirely in silver fringe fluttering in the summer breeze, Wolf Alice are greeted with ecstatic cheers; Bloom Baby Bloom explosively kicks off proceedings as confetti shoots into the air.

“Oh my God, hello Finsbury Park!” laughs a delighted Ellie Rowsell. Chatter between songs is somewhat limited, but when there, she’s chilled and at ease. Then she switches into lead singer mode, and by God, it’s extraordinary.

Watching Rowsell tonight, one can’t help admiring her transformation; it’s a far cry from the early days of quiet intensity. Her incredible soprano voice is harnessed to its full extent, ranging from a sweeping croon during the dream-like Leaning Against the Wall, to a vicious snarl for Play the Greatest Hits. Once she adorns a Gibson Flying V guitar, the rockstar image is complete; she’s a true force of nature.

The rest of the band lock in beside her, as bassist Theo Ellis excitedly hypes up the crowd for moshing, clapping and arm-waving, while Joff Oddie deploys some killer stinging guitar lines in between tossing them alarmingly high in the air. Joel Amey’s drumming has the right level of pizzazz, with a quick lead turn on vocals for recent favourite White Horses. Ryan Malcolm on keys completes the band’s sound, playing some of their most familiar intros like The Last Man on Earth, which swells beautifully into the Finsbury Park sky.

It’s a fantastic set spanning all four albums; My Love Is Cool gets some surprisingly deep cuts, such as White Leather, as well as the ever-popular Bros, while tracks from The Clearing sound exquisite, like the lush arrangement of The Sofa. Perhaps the lengthy, heavy jam of Visions of a Life’s titular track could have been placed differently, but all is forgiven when shortly after is Don’t Delete the Kisses, and 45,000 voices belt along to its unforgettably euphoric chorus. There’s time for a quick rendition of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit before Rowsell is doling out the band’s thanks and a gnarly finale of Giant Peach under their name in lights draws the night to a close.

Wolf Alice have truly blossomed from their grungy roots into a lean indie machine, while remaining loyal to their folk origins and feisty as ever. Overall, the show is a triumphant homecoming, yet it’s more than a celebration – they’re setting the stage for their future.