Wolf Alice @ Union Stage [DC] - 11/15/2021
Wolf Alice at Union Stage in Washington D.C. (Photo ©2021 Mauricio Castro)
Ever since their 2015 debut My Love is Cool to their third album, 2021’s Blue Weekend, Wolf Alice’s musical output has only gotten better and better. Their latest is not only their best yet, it is one of the best records of the year. DC was lucky to get not one, but two nights of Wolf Alice at Union Stage.
Throughout the show, the ground shook, the extra-dedicated fans shriek-screamed the words back to the band, and the band rip-roared through songs going as far back as their pre-debut album EPs (“Moaning Lisa Smile,” off the 2014 EP Creature Songs). Not many bands can launch fans into a riotous circle pit frenzy in one song (“Giant Peach”) and follow up with a beautiful, subdued acoustic number with the next one (“No Hard Feelings”), but Wolf Alice show execute this kind of turn with ease causing an often transcendent musical whiplash. This is a band punching way above their weight right now, and getting to see them play their beautiful, massive songs at a venue like Union Stage is something that many will cherish years down the line.
Blue Weekend is out now on RCA Records.
Opening for Wolf Alice was multi-instrumentalist Bria, who has played alongside Orville Peck as a part of his live band. Her latest release is the six-track EP Cuntry Covers Vol. 1, out now through Sub Pop Records.
Photos by Mauricio Castro
SETLIST
Smile
You're a Germ
Beautifully Unconventional
Formidable Cool
Delicious Things
Lipstick on the Glass
Planet Hunter
Bros
Safe From Heartbreak (If You Never Fall in Love)
How Can I Make It OK?
Play the Greatest Hits
Feeling Myself
Giant Peach
No Hard Feelings
Visions of a Life
The Last Man on Earth
Moaning Lisa Smile
ENCORE
Don't Delete the Kisses
Covid Safety Rating
Venue Check for Proof of Vaccination? Yep
Masks required? Yep
Was the audience wearing masks? 80-90%
But at least the staff was wearing masks, right? Yep