Culture, Music, News

Wolf Alice @ Manchester Apollo review and gallery – kindness is the new rock and roll

0 350

Featured image: Georgina Hurdsfield


Wolf Alice show why they are currently one of the most exciting bands in the world with an electrifying performance at Manchester Apollo on their sold-out Blue Weekend tour.

After being postponed due to the pandemic, the touring of Wolf Alice’s number one album was greeted with open arms by their adoring fans. Hot on the heels of their Brit Award success, Wolf Alice were keen to show the world how their new songs played out on stage.

With the addition of honorary member Ryan Malcolm (former guitarist of Superfood) playing synths, Wolf Alice lean further into the dream-pop genre. The cascading melodies of Ellie Rowsell’s vocals and the use of electronic drum pads on songs like ‘How Can I Make It OK’ give the band’s sound an uplifting sense of optimism amid the grimier worlds of heavier tracks like ‘Play The Greatest Hits’.

But the sparse moments of these adrenaline inducing songs make them all the more intense. Just as you get your breath back and wipe away the sweat, a blurred state of catharsis makes way for the sweet purity of one of Wolf Alice’s quieter numbers.

‘Safe From Heartbreak’ was one such quiet lullaby that drew the crowd into its heartfelt lyricism. The pickguard of Joff Oddie’s guitar reflected shimmers across the stage and a spotlight projected Rowsell’s profile on the back wall, evoking the image of a wind-up clockwork ballerina as she shared the intimate fable of unrequited love.

Wolf Alice manages to exude an aura of cool whilst preaching songs of friendship, love and compassion. The lyrics of their opening track ‘Smile’: “I ain’t ashamed in the fact that I’m sensitive” goes to show that Wolf Alice don’t pretend to be the hotel crashing rock icons of the past. With their new album Blue Weekend, Wolf Alice have proved once again that kindness is the new rock and roll.


Wolf Alice’s latest album Blue Weekend is available on Spotify and Apple Music

Follow Wolf Alice on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | Website

About the author / 

Eddie Toomer-McAlpine

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News Stories:

  • Kaytranada @ Co-Op Live review – a timeless performance

    Featured image and gallery: Jack Oliver After eight packed out performances across Europe Kaytranada arrives at Co-Op Live for his largest show on the European leg of his ‘Timeless Tour’. The 23,000 capacity venue is filled with excited fans who eagerly anticipate the start of the show after energetic performances from Pomo, Lou Phelps and…

  • From Feed to Feet: How gorpcore fashion has boosted communities of young men to walk and talk

    Featured image: Olivia Taberner and Adomas Lukas Petrauskas From Arc’teryx raincoats to mud-clogged Salomons, we explore how outdoor garments have evolved from fashion trends to functional wear – bringing together communities of young men in the process. What began as a Patagonia jacket and a sunrise ambition soon turned into getting “battered at 3am by…

  • The Success of Moss Side filmmaker Baka Bah: “Whenever I do say where I’m from, I automatically see labels pinging over my head”

    Featured image: Yas Lucia Mascarenhas and Adomas Lukas Petrauskas Manchester’s inner-city neighbourhood of Moss Side is often portrayed in the media as a dangerous area, plagued by knife crime and shootings. However, one resident and Manchester Met student – Baka Bah – believes this one-sided story doesn’t reflect the true spirit of his community. While…

  • Queer Lit: Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ bookstore on building a legacy in Manchester

    Featured image: Molly Goble and Nicola Henry In the last five years, hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people have risen by 112%, underscoring the critical need for safe, inclusive spaces where queer individuals can find a sense of belonging. Amid this crisis, Queer Lit has emerged as a sanctuary in the form of a literary refuge…