By Danica Ward
Staff Writer
Fog fills the stage. Ethereal fairy music plays as the five-piece takes their places on the stage. Frontwoman Rhian Teasdale asserts herself, her back facing the crowd as she flexes her muscles.
It’s like you’ve entered heaven. Teasdale, dressed in all white, draws in the crowd as white lights flash from above. For a sold-out show at Philadelphia’s own Franklin Music Hall, formerly The Electric Factory, Wet Leg really gives their all.
The show begins with “catch these fists,” one of the first songs dropped as a sneak peek to the full album, released on July 11. Immediately, the surround sound is filled by drummer Henry Holmes’ hi-hats and the piercing riff of guitars, played by Hester Chambers and Joshua Mobaraki. During the chorus, Teasdale takes hold of the mic stand and lunges back and forth, energizing the crowd.
Immediately following is their hit “Wet Dream” from their 2021 self-titled album. If there was a song I definitely wanted the band to play, this one was it. The intense bass groove from Ellis Durand and the catchiness of the song, “Beam me up / Count me in / 3,2,1 / Let’s begin,” have the crowd rocking to the beat. Although Teasdale might’ve messed up the lyrics to the first pre-chorus, it was hard to tell, and it proves even more that the band is just there to have fun.
The setlist wavered back and forth from songs from their first album and their recent sophomore release, “moisturizer.” Midway through the set, the band invites the crowd’s help for the blazing diss “Ur Mum.” Teasdale hammers the chords and asks Philadelphia to “practice their loudest scream.” The band halts to a stop, and everyone in the audience just goes feral. Everyone is screaming for what feels like a minute. And then, the band goes right back into the action, leaving the crowd feeling euphoric.
The only time the setlist really slows down is for “11:21,” off of the new album. With a dreamy, child-like keyboard part and a soft addition from the drums, Teasdale shows off her skills as a professionally trained singer. After that almost four-minute long piece, the band kicks it back into gear with the sexually-explicit banger “pillow talk.” This might be the most alternative the band has gotten so far in their career, almost harkening back to the ‘90s Riot Grrrl movement with their unabashed mentions of taboo subjects.
On “u and me at home” the crowd is again invited to repeat the title. Teasdale dances in front of the mic while smiling and making eye contact with the crowd. She runs back and forth across the stage trying to see which side can sing louder, and fills the venue with her joy. Unfortunately, the song had to be stopped and restarted since someone in the audience fainted. So folks, here’s your concert reminder to keep hydrated and not lock your legs! But the band immediately stopped the song and waited for security to come over for assistance, and then again allowed the crowd to experience communal joy.
Towards the end of the show, the band breaks out “Too Late Now” from their discography. The song starts slow, with Teasdale and Chambers getting to connect by running in place and twirling with their respective guitars. As the song picks up, it’s impossible not to at least move your head back and forth to the beat.
And then the moment everyone has been waiting for: “Chaise Longue.” Recognized by its quick drum beat, their breakout hit has everyone dancing and singing along. The call and response of “Excuse me? / What?” has the crowd screaming their answers and completely rocking out. It’s heartwarming to see that after endlessly touring for their first album, the band still hasn’t gotten sick of their first hit.
The show ends with two of my favorite songs from “moisturizer.” “mangetout” is a groovy, almost nihilistic track, which I learned the lyrics to as soon as the album dropped. Teasdale again entrances the crowd while crawling across the stage and singing as her hair is blown back by one of the stage fans.
The band’s final song is “CPR,” the first song off the new LP. Teasdale and Chambers have a conversation on a red rotary phone, asking, “Hello? 999 / What’s your emergency? / Well, the thing is- / I’m in love!” Again, it is impossible not to move your body, as the fog envelops the crowd and the bright white lights flash.
Overall, this concert was one for the books. The entire band took time to engage with the crowd and each other, and it looked like everyone involved was just having fun. From dancing around to moving across the stage to play next to each other, Wet Leg just has that cheeky charm that makes them one of the most entertaining indie bands of this generation.
