Live Report: Wolf Alice @ Glasgow Barrowlands - 14th February 2022

Wolf Alice launched their much-postponed UK tour with the first of a three night residency at the legendary Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow. Thomas Jackson was on hand to capture the action.

Wolf Alice perform in Glasgow on 14th February 2022. Photo: Thomas Jackson

Valentine’s night in Glasgow, and The Barrowlands is in love with Ellie Rowsell and company. It’s hard not to get the impression that the love goes both ways.

Wolf Alice perform in Glasgow on 14th February 2022. Photo: Thomas Jackson

An opening triptych of Smile, You’re A Germ and a stunning take on Beautifully Unconventional showed Wolf Alice on fine form, and continuing to stake their claim for festival headline slots come the summer, particularly in the wake of their triumphant performance at Latitude Festival last year.

Wolf Alice perform in Glasgow on 14th February 2022. Photo: Thomas Jackson

Drawing heavily on material from 2021s standout album, Blue Weekend, the set benefits from the forced hiatus, which has allowed the album to bed in with fans. It already has the feel of a greatest hits compilation, and you’d struggle to find a word in the set that wasn’t shouted, screamed or sung back at the band by the heaving Barrowlands crowd.

Wolf Alice perform in Glasgow on 14th February 2022. Photo: Thomas Jackson

The real power within Wolf Alice is their ability to play with emotion and genre at will. Moving from the mellow, mournful How Can I Make It Ok? into the punk stomp of Play The Greatest Hits shouldn’t work, but somehow it all fits together perfectly, giving the show a dynamic and an energy rarely seen elsewhere.

Wolf Alice perform in Glasgow on 14th February 2022. Photo: Thomas Jackson

As the all too short 90 minute set came to a close with Don’t Delete The Kisses, it was hard not wonder if this is the last time we’ll see Wolf Alice in venues this small. They seem destined for arenas and beyond, but the intimacy of tonights show will be missed when they make the step up.