Ready to offer their spoils to the UK, Wunderhorse embarked on their Midas tour with haste and vigour. Nottingham was lucky enough to play host to the band as they set out on their journey, resulting in a night practically spilling out raw energy. Alice Beard outlines the evening.
From the minute I’d piled into the gig, the atmosphere felt heavy, already brimming with anticipation. With Melbourne duo HighSchool gently warming up the evening with their mellow brooding tones, it became clearer than ever that the crowd were ready for more. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the venue as heaving as I did that evening. I’ve been to sold-out Rock City shows before- Wolf Alice and Fontaines DC to name a couple- but this felt as though it would be a much different gig than previous ventures. Perhaps it was where I eventually ended up standing for the evening’s events (crammed in a corner on top of some stairs), but the word sardines did spring to mind. I must stress this didn’t take away from the overall show, as Wunderhorse soon solidified their crown as undefeated masters of performance. Having seen the band at a packed-out Bodega gig less than eighteen months prior, witnessing their rise to selling out a venue of almost eight times that capacity felt an astonishing leap in their career. Though I must add this leap is more than well-deserved.
The opener of the night Midas set a powerful precedent for the rest of the evening. Standing also as the opener and title track of the recent album itself, the claws really came out from the very beginning. Setting off into second track Butterflies off their debut album Cub, it felt comforting to be treated to the oldies but goldies so early in the set. We were well and truly receiving the full Wunderhorse experience. Its hypnotic guitar riff was what was needed to really set the ball rolling. The stark moodiness and unease of the track lured the entire crowd into a deep but most definitely false sense of security. This was a warning for what the rest of the set might entail.
Emily offered up a similar sensation of apprehension, this pensive piece running the set into realms of quiet disarray. A piece of calm before the storm. By the time the band had launched into the abrasive Cathedrals, the band had well and truly made their mark. Slater’s presence remained rigid and severe throughout, his quiet authority maintaining some darkness and mystique surrounding the entire band’s display.
The opening notes of Leader of the Pack brought some real heat (and a welcomed dose of nostalgia) to the evening. Standing as one of the songs that made my ears prick up for the first time when I saw them way-back-when in 2022, this track always proves a pleasure to hear live. Bringing Slater’s trademark guttural wails and anguished guitar voicings, it’s a song that has remained just as mighty as it was in its conception.
I must say the crowd was uncomfortably still for my liking. I’m all for standing back and enjoying the music, but the barely bobbing heads I observed amidst the swarm of bodies below me seemed hardly a justified reaction to the virile display onstage. I’m not suggesting this is the explanation for the audience’s softened reaction, but the crowd was noticeably young this time around- you might blame this on the TikTok effect, but who am I to offer judgement? At least the queues for the bar were short.
Despite this observation, I didn’t let this quell any of the enjoyment I gained from the set. As the band hurtled on into Arizona, I couldn’t help but feel they were at the height of their game. This track left considerable space for each element to effectively take hold, but it still managed to maintain that grittiness that makes Wunderhorse so magnetic to watch live. There’s a reason this is one of my favourite tracks from the recent LP.
"Every turn and attack was carefully calculated. Not a moment was wasted in the entirety of the assault"
The gentle and considered Aeroplane took heed at a slower pace, allowing some time for rest and consideration. By the end I thought perhaps it had been dragged out slightly too long, but it was still a pleasant breather, nonetheless. Bringing the tempo right back up to familiar levels came tracks such as Girl Behind the Glass and the caustic Silver. If one thing is to be said, it is that the band know how to curate a setlist. Every turn and attack was carefully calculated. Not a moment was wasted in the entirety of the assault. Throwing rain into the mix just as we thought it was all over was the perfect way for the band to show us what they’re truly made of.
As far as encores go, it would be silly to say we were all taken by the element of surprise. The entire room was ready for more- the crowd knew it, and the band knew it too. With the first sweet, flowery tones of Teal came waves of pure delight through the room. It felt as if everything else that night had led to this moment, a moment to step back and look at the fuller picture. This was the first time I really saw any movement from the crowd the entire evening. It felt almost a shame considering how tight the display had been throughout- almost too little too late. Nevertheless, the appreciation was justified and well-received by all accounts. July was the untamed, unafraid romp to really close off the evening with a big warm kiss. The quartet couldn’t have done it better.
From the moment Wunderhorse hurtled into their set to when they finally threw down their arms at the end of the battle, the band did what they did best. It is abundantly clear for all to see that their years of hard work are finally paying off. This was a defiant act. Wunderhorse are not done yet.
Alice Beard
Edited by Alice Beard
Image c. Polocho (2024), video courtesy of Wunderhorse on Youtube
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