Wet Leg headlined Castlefield Bowl as part of the Sounds of the City series, drawing a mixed reaction from the 8,000-strong crowd. The band, who rose from playing to a couple of hundred in Manchester four years ago, now command arena-sized audiences after two number-one albums, two Grammys, and two BRIT Awards.
English Teacher Open with Mercury Prize-Winning Set
Leeds band English Teacher opened the night, showcasing their Mercury Prize-winning debut album This Could Be Texas. Their set ranged from proto-punk 'I'm Not Crying, You're Crying' to off-kilter pop 'Broken Biscuits'. The highlight was unreleased track 'Billboards', first played in Manchester in 2024, hinting at a promising second album.
Wet Leg's Setlist Balanced Hits and New Material
Wet Leg's set split evenly between their self-titled debut and follow-up moisturizer. Debut hits like 'Oh No', 'Wet Dream', and 'Ur Mum' drew mass singalongs, while newer tracks such as 'catch these fists' opened the show. However, slower moisturizer songs like 'jennifer's body' and 'pokemon' lost crowd energy, and 'pillow talk' failed to connect.
Castlefield Bowl Volume Limits Affected Performance
The show suffered from Castlefield Bowl's low volume restrictions, a concession to nearby residents. The venue's festival-like atmosphere split the crowd between hardcore fans and casual attendees, dampening response to deeper cuts.
Highlights and Future Prospects
Standout moments included soaring renditions of 'Angelica', 'Chaise Longue', and love song 'davina mccall' as the sun set. Reviewer Joe Goggins noted the night lacked energy compared to their packed Victoria Warehouse show last May, but predicted arenas are likely next. The band earned a 3/5 star rating.
