Despite the 30-degree heat, Castlefield Bowl buzzed with a festival atmosphere as fans waited in anticipation for Wet Leg on this sweltering Wednesday evening. Beer was waved in the air as the amphitheatre began to fill, and people joined in the traditional game of waving at trains passing along the viaduct above the arena, erupting into cheers whenever passengers waved back.
First up was Theatre, a young five-piece from Ireland whose sound is reminiscent of All About Eve crossed with The Smiths, blending folk influences with a shoegaze-infused grunge edge. Lead singer Maeve possessed an ethereal quality as she floated around the stage, while the rest of the band poured their hearts into every note.
Next on the line-up was English Teacher, their distinctive dreamy sound drifting across the cityscape as the crowd responded with warm appreciation. Their excitement at being there was unmistakable, profusely thanking Wet Leg for inviting them on tour.
Finally, it was time for the main event. The crowd held its breath as smoke machines began building the atmosphere and the minutes ticked ever closer to 9pm. Barely visible through the fog and dressed in their signature white outfits, the band emerged onto the stage shrouded in a sea of dry ice. Then, looming out of the smoke, Rhian Teasdale appeared like a titan – biceps popping as she strutted around in her trademark flexed pose.
The crowd screamed as the band launched straight into ‘Catch These Fists’. Rhian prowled the stage, posing and gesturing while the stage fans whipped her hair and the fog around her face.
Chat was kept to a minimum as they systematically stomped through fan favourite after fan favourite, including ‘Wet Dream’, ‘Supermarket’ and ‘Being in Love.’ ‘Davina McCall’ sounded especially beautiful with the sun slowly setting behind the stage.
Throughout the gig, Rhian crooned into the mic in her unmistakable style while commanding the stage, her energy and confidence electrifying in the evening heat.
With no encore and, seemingly, far too soon, the band announced there were only three songs left. They had certainly saved the best for last, launching into ‘Chaise Longue’ to the crowd’s delight as everyone sang along with their arms in the air. CPR and Mangetout concluded the rousing setlist, and the crowd roared its appreciation as the final refrains echoed out across the city.
And so ended a brilliant night packed with great music and friendly faces. As you would expect from any Mancunian gig, the crowd were on top form – singing along, chatting, waving and full of banter. The walk back to Deansgate carried that festival atmosphere long after the final song, with people sitting on the grass and continuing to sing into the warm summer night.
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Review by Kristy Eighteen
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