Wet Leg
02 Institute 11/28/22
Birmingham UK
Claire H. Photographer
Facebook / Spotify / Instagram
Live Review
From the release of their debut album in April, to playing the iconic Glastonbury Festival earlier this summer, as well as receiving five Grammy Award nominations, it’s safe to say that 2022 has been one hell of a year for Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers - better known as Wet Leg. Now, their fully sold out 11 date UK headline tour is the perfect way to round off 2022 for the dynamic Isle of Wight duo, who made a stop off at Birmingham’s 02 Institute.
Kicking things off with album opener, Being in Love, the track perfectly encapsulates that very feeling. Teasdale and Chambers are beaming with smiles from the warm welcome. Keeping energy levels high, the band launch into Wet Dream, which catapulted into everyone’s hearts and became one of the biggest hits of the year. It certainly had an impression on Harry Styles, who covered it for BBC R1’s Live Lounge earlier in the year. Many artists refrain from offering too many hits this early into a set due to not having the material to bulk out the show. This however, is not a problem for Wet Leg, who have pop-rock bangers a plenty to offer.
Two new unreleased tracks are played, giving the audience a taste of what’s to come from the duo moving forward. I Want to Be Abducted (by a UFO), a track that perfectly sums up the wittiness of Teasdale and Chambers but also rockets the crowd into pure chaos, whilst Obvious teases an intriguing darker side to the typical amusing Wet Leg appeal we all know and love.
Ur Mum was a standout highlight of the set, with Teasdale requesting the audience’s “longest, loudest screams” like in the studio version. It’s every bit cathartic and silly all at once - in true Wet Leg fashion. Closing their 12 song set, the band reappear on stage in black graduation robes to perform the very track that was responsible for their newfound stardom, Chaise Longue. The change in outfits is a gentle nod to the track’s lyricism and brilliance.
Rhian and Hester have undeniable on-stage chemistry which translates to the audience from the first note. Despite having a gruelling touring scheduled since the release of Wet Leg, the duo have remained bright eyed and in good spirits. With a second album under their belt, nothing will be off limits and the world needs to be prepared for the Wet Leg takeover.
Setlist
Being in Love
Wet Dream
Supermarket
Convincing
I Don’t Wanna Go Out
Obvious
Oh No
I Want to Be Abducted (by a UFO)
Ur Mum
Too Late Now
Angelica
Chaise Longue
