Secondhand Setlists

Live music revolves around how an artist and audience connect. Failure to establish that connection (looking at you, Diplo) moots the point of going to a concert. The audience for the most part already feels a connection to an artist’s music, else they wouldn’t attend, so banter and synergy are needed to build upon their connection to the artist themselves.

That being said, anyone could tell Wolf Alice intended to incite an inferno at the Fonda.

The Fonda holds a lot more than it appears, and as a result it simultaneously can feel crowded yet spacious. For the most part I managed enough space to dance freely on my own, when I wasn’t smashing into everyone else.

And everyone else appeared so charged for the British act. Wolf Alice’s appeal lies in the dichotomy of their image, innocence and animosity meshed into one animal. As sweet as tracks like “Freazy” sound, they also sneer with subtle taunts, begging you to underestimate Wolf Alice so they may change your mind.  Though “Freazy” established a more subdued atmosphere early on, “You’re A Germ” barged in 2 songs later to bring the crowd to rapture.

The entire time, lead singer Ellie Roswell and bassist Theo Ellis called upon the audience to dance, writhe, move.  During “Giant Peach” they began to rock back-and-forth, by doing so appearing both adorable and exhilarated.

They made no effort to hide they were sweating just as much as we were, and having just as much fun. At one point, Roswell even drenched herself in her water bottle before blasting into the next track, while Ellis leaped into the barrier between the audience and stage: for each moment the audience screamed in exaltation.

I must also comment on the attending crowd. A sea of rowdy, intoxicated bodies, the audience thrashed and moshed in a manner suggesting fun rather than ferocity. Every contact made felt like an invitation to keep moving, to let you know someone else wants you to be a part of the current. The complete transition into chaos came naturally to all. As Wolf Alice said in their closer, “flash your teeth though the inside hurts,” don’t let fear of the animal prevent you from your fun.