WOLF ALICE AT THE OPERA HOUSE IN TORONTO

WOLF ALICE AT THE OPERA HOUSE IN TORONTO

After two long, gig-less years, arriving at The Opera House felt like home a little. Upon inspecting the crowd, it was a great mix of folks. I suppose a band like Wolf Alice has many sounds to offer to many different types of people. With their acclaimed album from the summer of 2021, Blue Weekend, there's sounds from the mosh pit, to crying in your car alone, to “I'm a bad bitch”, to synth-pop dreams. But one thing was common, everyone must wear black. The floor and mezzanine were almost completely full even before the opener, Charlie Hickey, took the stage. The anticipation was definitely high.

I had done no research online on Charlie Hickey prior to the gig, so I had no idea what was coming. A curly haired young man with an acoustic guitar and another man on bass guitar casually walked on stage. Charlie strummed softly on his acoustic guitar and calmed the chatter with folk ballads. Maybe not the mood I was anticipating before a rock show, but not entirely unsurprising. Wolf Alice does have some sleepier tunes for sure, so it was a nice companion piece. As he played through a couple songs, we got a feeling that that was going to be the mood until the headliner arrived. The crowd picked up in chatter like a dive bar show. That changed after the last two songs when he announced that he had a special guest and introduced a local talent named 8485. He said he knew she was going to be in Toronto, so he called her up and asked if she wanted to sing with him. She shyly arrived on stage and joined in Charlie’s song. The crowd cheered her on and it helped to pick up her confidence, and they harmonized wonderfully. She exited after one song and he said that they'd finish with a more rock song. He got his red electric guitar and played similarly quiet folk songs. It dawned on me that he’s a more folksy and mature Shawn Mendes, and I swear it’s not just because he had curly hair.

Thirty minutes passed, then it was time for one of the UK’s finest bands, Wolf Alice. The lights went out and an old audio recording began to play as the four, and a couple back up band players, came on stage. They burst into “Smile”, one of their most popular songs from Blue Weekend. Anticipation was gone and the crowd burst with keeping up with every word. A few songs from all three of their albums banged by effortlessly. “Delicious Things” and “Lipstick On The Glass” were played back to back as they truly are a beautiful pairing, just like on the record. It took a few songs for the shy Canadian crowd to get moving. They needed some encouragement from their lively bassist. Lead singer Ellie Roswell’s presence was wild while still staying professional - feminine and cool with a bite. Her yells and ability to not lose her breath during “Play The Greatest Hits” was super impressive. 

An encore was only too evident to be played as two beloved songs had not been played yet - ”The Last Man On Earth” and “Don’t Delete The Kisses”. Again, with a little push from the bassist, he held up a light to indicate to everyone to get their phones up. A minute later a disco ball was lit above the band and it could not be more perfect for “The Last Man On Earth”; the little lights acting like stars for a truly dreamy experience. I noticed Ellie adoringly staring at the venue, the century’s old painting on the wall. Then she actually took a moment to say out loud that she adored the venue.

Wolf Alice have made a truly amazing record last year that is less shy, deeper in emotion, and ready for bigger crowds. They call to folks from all kinds of music scenes for a night of bangers, chills, and happy tears. I can’t wait to see how they continue to grow.