Wolf Alice live with Florence + Road. AFAS Live, Saturday 22 November 2025

Photo: WdN-vdB

Was it me or the band? Not for one second did Wolf Alice drag me into its show. Although the show started hopeful with the beautiful opening song of the band's latest (and very good) album, 'Thorns', followed by 'Bloom Baby Bloom' and the perhaps best song of 'The Clearing', 'White Horses'. It was the band's biggest venue in Europe yet "and it scares us", or so Ellie Rowsell said, giving off some weird giggling right after, as if she was really uncomfortable (or visited 'The Bulldog' of course). And I think it showed. Perhaps the band tried too hard and made things too loud and at times pumping everything up to bombastic levels, leaving me more stunned than impressed.

To my surprise it has been eight years already since I last saw the band in the Melkweg and in my memory (and review) the band played a perfect show, where audience and band blended. This time, I saw some people leave the venue well before the end and people holding their hands over their ears. Now, I can imagine if you came on board with 'My Blue Weekend' or 'The Clearing' the punk side of Wolf Alice can come as a nasty surprise. Here the band has the same challenge as I imagine Arctic Monkeys has. Where do you stick 'Dance Floor' and 'Teddy Picker' in the setlist with the songs on 'The Car'? Wolf Alice has that challenge as well. That was decided on quite well, as the setlist was quite dynamic, working between the pop ballads on 'The Clearing' and the louder, mostly older songs..

Something else I was not prepared for, is that from a distance I had the impression to look at Lana del Rey on stage. Ellie Rowsell's outfit does not match Wolf Alice's image as an alternative rock band. I know, that has been left behind almost completely on 'The Clearing', but still.

Finally, I noticed that what works really well in venues like Paradiso or Melkweg does not work as well on a stage like AFAS, let alone bigger. The audience participation part is instigated mostly by bass player Theo Ellis. His enthusiasm does not come across further down the lines. This has to become somewhat bigger as well.

Admittedly, I was not completely fit and at some point had to go to the back to sit down. That may have influenced my perception of the show. Let me tell you, the people at the back are not the people to enjoy a show with. There were a few highlights like 'Leaning Against The Wall' and 'The Sofa'. Several times the band showed how subtle it can play and gave Joff Oddie the opportunity to show what a great guitarist he is. There were some great sounds coming from his guitar. The addition of a keyboard player was certainly a winner. On top of it all, Ellie Rowsell is a great singer. What power comes from her rather frail body. It just did not save the evening for me. Perhaps my expectations were too high. Madrugada never topped that magical evening in Melkweg after the release of 'The Nightly Disease' either.

Photo: WdN-vdB

Irish band Florence + Road opened and had some good moments, but never captured me either. It was interesting enough to go and check the band out later on Spotify.  The band's singer is great. What a voice and the music was able to go from quite intricate to a storm and back, in a convincing way..The way the band stood on the stage was rather strange though. Singer/guitarist, drummer and bassist close together on their right and the lead guitarist on her own to the left. As if she didn't belong to the band really. To see them standing in the middle of the exit hall talking to fans was nice to see. At that level of popularity, this level of interaction is still possible. Enjoy it while you can.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght