Wolf Alice Conquer Dublin’s 3Arena Despite Travel Chaos and Album Concerns
Despite facing critically important logistical hurdles and a lukewarm reception to their latest album, Wolf Alice delivered a “dazzling performance” at Dublin’s 3Arena, showcasing the band’s resilience and frontwoman Ellie Rowsell’s captivating stage presence. The concert, intended to close out the English indie band’s largest-ever tour, was nearly derailed by severe weather conditions impacting travel to Ireland.
Stormy seas and Last-Minute Scrambles
The show was threatened by Storm Bram, which led to cancelled ferry crossings preventing supporting acts Bria and Sunflower Bean from reaching Dublin. Furthermore, Wolf alice’s tour trucks arrived late, leaving the crew with a monumental task. “They’ve had to do 12 hours of work in about three hours,” Rowsell informed the audience, with the worry visibly etched on her face as captured on the venue’s big screen. The situation appeared precarious, with the concert hanging in the balance.
Triumph Over Adversity
Despite the delayed start – nearly half an hour behind schedule – Wolf Alice ultimately triumphed over the adversity. The band launched into a performance that highlighted Rowsell’s charisma and the group’s established talent for crafting indie pop. However, the concert’s initial stages were somewhat hampered by the material from their newest release, The clearing.
A New Album That Falls Short
The Clearing has been described as a “self-conscious attempt at appealing to a wider audience,” and while possessing moments of promise, it is ultimately weighed down by the production style of Greg Kurstin. Kurstin, known for his work with artists like Adele, Kylie Minogue, and Harry styles, reportedly imbues each song with a similar sonic signature – a “schmaltzy” quality likened to a variation of “The Girl from Ipanema.” Tracks like “Thorns” and “Bloom Baby Bloom” from The Clearing initially hint at an indie Kate Bush influence before veering into “worryingly lounge jazz.”
arena Ambitions and Staging Choices
The band’s staging reflected their ambition to transition to larger venues. The production, described as a blend between an Abba tribute night and a low-budget Olivia Rodrigo show, featured a large sparkly sheet and a slowly revolving platform for Rowsell. A wind machine added to the spectacle,allowing Rowsell to emulate 1980s pop stars. While these elements didn’t entirely succeed – “an indie band is still an indie band” – the effort demonstrated the group’s willingness to adapt to the demands of arena performance.
A Return to Form with Classic Tracks
The energy noticeably shifted as Wolf Alice revisited their back catalogue. A performance of “Formidable Cool,” from their Mercury Prize-winning album Visions for a life, was a “shrieking rock-out,” while “How Can I Make It OK?” from Blue Weekend showcased the expressive backing vocals of guitarist Joff Oddie.
Dublin’s Venue Dilemma
One notable aspect of the evening was the less-then-full house at the 3Arena. While wolf Alice’s recent UK tour was sold out,including consecutive nights at London’s 20,000-capacity O2,the Dublin venue was noticeably sparse. This follows a similar pattern observed at a show by The Last Dinner Party in November, raising questions about the suitability of the 3Arena for certain acts. According to observers, Dublin is in dire need of a mid-sized venue with a capacity of 5,000 to 8,000.
A Personal Connection and Energetic Encore
Rowsell acknowledged her Dublin roots, with her paternal grandparents hailing from the city, offering a heartfelt “go raibh maith agat” to the audience. The band closed the encore with a powerful rendition of “Don’t Delete the Kisses,” preceded by Rowsell wielding a flying V guitar during “Giant Peach” and utilizing a loud hailer during the blistering “Yuk Foo.”
Despite the challenging circumstances and a somewhat uneven setlist, Wolf Alice transformed potential disaster into a “scintillating gig.” As Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” played the band off stage, it was clear they had delivered a performance filled with “thunderbolts of their own.”
