Wet leg live in Chalk, Brighton 9.4.22 (Photo Mike Purnell) (Click image to enlarge)
WET LEG – RESIDENT OUTSTORE, CHALK, BRIGHTON 9.4.22
wet leg They’ve been on an upward trajectory since their first solo debut ‘chaise longue’Its accompanying video went viral in June 2021. Formed by friends Ryan Tisdale and Hester Chambers on the Isle of Wight in 2019, the duo expanded with additional live-action musicians and signed a deal with Domino Records. The guitar-driven post-punk sound is intentionally weird, and they have a knack for writing insanely catchy hooks to accompany their signature lyrics. More hit singles followed, and their debut album of the same name, which was critically acclaimed, was released on April 8, 2022.
Wet leg live in Chalk, Brighton 9.4.22 (Photo Mike Purnell) (Click image to enlarge)
catch them in chalk Outdoor performance venue for Brighton Records Store resident. Tickets were sold in bulk with pre-orders for the album. The event information for tonight’s show is a bit sketchy. The band will play their repertoire, likely about 40 minutes, at an unspecified time between doors that open at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. curfew. I put my place in front and settle down to listen to him DJ B* locks. That’s his name, by the way, not what I’m thinking of. Fortunately, the music choices are eclectic and entertaining. We go from Talking Heads, to sitar music and Bhangra rhythm, to indie classics like Arctic Monkeys, and slick movie themes like “Ghostbusters” Along with the joy department. It’s too long before the band comes in at 8.40pm, but time passes tolerably well.
Wet leg live in Chalk, Brighton 9.4.22 (Photo Mike Purnell) (Click image to enlarge)
Needless to say, the place is full. It’s getting increasingly comfortable up front, with a palpable buzz of enthusiastic anticipation. There is a lot of cheer as the Wet League creeps up on stage to some soothing Celtic folk music. Lead singer Ryan has a big, cheerful smile, her long brown hair hanging down the big puffy sleeves of a very old plaid dress that pairs well with the blonde Telecaster guitar. Casually wearing a cheerleader shirt and skirt, Hester owns a vintage Hofner. They are flanked by two fellow musicians, with long hair and beards. Josh, left of the house, has a Danelectro guitar strapped and mounted on a small stand. Ellis is the right house, on the Musicmaster blue bass. Henry’s drum kit is above a lifter between the rear line amplifiers. Like the flight cases that the amps stand on, they are marked with the band’s logo.
Wet leg live in Chalk, Brighton 9.4.22 (Photo Mike Purnell) (Click image to enlarge)
By the number of steady clicks, we come out with the faint bass and the kick of the album opening ‘falling in love’. The verses are scattered, intermittently, but the choruses really begin, covered in the swirling woes of a compound pitch that sounds almost like Theremin. The fans love it, and they jump excitedly up and down. masked With a beautiful, languid and floating vibe, Hester takes the lead. I got a little lost in the mix at first, although that was corrected fairly quickly, and there’s a dreamy play with a nice resonant guitar.
Wet leg live in Chalk, Brighton 9.4.22 (Photo Mike Purnell) (Click image to enlarge)
Ryan takes some time to adjust the volume, chatting to the audience in a lyrical voice with excessive pauses. “How are you? We’re fine. Thanks for asking.” Everyone laughs, and of course no one asked them. The opening wave of the second single “Wet Dream” He hits and instantly becomes lively in the crowd again. Behind the crash barrier, the collective chorus rings me with every word in the entire song. Clearly this band has struck something in tune with the public imagination. Musically it’s very simple, just a repetitive four-string progression along the way, but it’s ridiculous and everyone here, myself included, is overwhelmed with ecstatic delight.
Wet leg live in Chalk, Brighton 9.4.22 (Photo Mike Purnell) (Click image to enlarge)
There is great interest in joining the hymns on the lead and chorus ‘supermarket’ very. I nod at a steady pace, and I enjoy watching the interaction between Ryan and Hester, too. They seem to be having fun, exchanging gentle conspiratorial looks and laughs, and performing a beautiful synchronized spinning dance together during the swirling psychological opening of ‘It’s too late now’. The pace picks up with a burst of rapid fire and everyone around me is going crazy again.
Wet leg live in Chalk, Brighton 9.4.22 (Photo Mike Purnell) (Click image to enlarge)
‘common sense’ It starts off choppy, just with Rhian’s guitar and bass, then builds steadily. There are more weird dance moves on stage for “Oh no” And the urgent note of the last single “Ur mom”, With the two main players spinning around, they lowered and brushed their hair in unison. Looks good.
Wet leg live in Chalk, Brighton 9.4.22 (Photo Mike Purnell) (Click image to enlarge)
All of the songs playing are on the new album, although unless you get a vinyl copy with the extra 7-inch limited edition, the next number may be less well known. The fixed list indicates that they were planning ‘it’s a shame’, But they actually decided to play ‘It’s not fun’, located on the other side of the bonus disc. Good job, I watched. It’s a steady-tempo number with more whirlpools than retrograde tuning over the top. I prefer it. What’s the fun “Angelica”, propelled by a catchy, disturbing motif on lead guitar. The album was only out for one day, so I’m impressed that everyone around me is singing along with them.
Wet leg live in Chalk, Brighton 9.4.22 (Photo Mike Purnell) (Click image to enlarge)
“Thank you so much for coming this evening,” Ryan chimes in, and we’re clearly nearing the end of the group. No prizes for guessing the last song, the viral hit that started it all. There are some powerful dances, not least from myself, and every single word of the song is chanted with. breathing “Excuse me…what?” Voice interaction looks very different when several hundred people hide it. It’s a victorious end to the most entertaining group, well performed by charming players whose joy and sense of fun are particularly contagious.
Wet leg live in Chalk, Brighton 9.4.22 (Photo Mike Purnell) (Click image to enlarge)
If anyone is thinking that Wet Leg would be a successful new business, maybe they should review their opinions. This band appears to have tapped into the broader public awareness quite successfully already, and is still on the rise. If you haven’t come across them yet, the album is well worth a listen. The band’s strange charm attracted me when I first heard it ‘a chair Long Last year, tonight’s show really boosted my admiration for their work.
Wet leg live in Chalk, Brighton 9.4.22 (Photo Mike Purnell) (Click image to enlarge)
wet leg:
Ryan Tisdale – lead vocals, guitar
Hester Chambers – guitar, vocals
Ellis Durand – bass, vocals
Josh Mobaraki – guitar, keyboards, vocals
Henry Holmes – drums and vocals
Wet leg live in Chalk, Brighton 9.4.22 (Photo Mike Purnell) (Click image to enlarge)
wet leg set list:
‘falling in love’
masked
“Wet Dream”
‘supermarket’
‘It’s too late now’
‘common sense’
“Oh no”
“Ur mom”
‘It’s not fun’
“Angelica”
‘chaise longue’“
party flyer
wet leg set list (pic Mike Purnell) (Click image to enlarge)
Performance times (pic Mike Purnell) (Click image to enlarge)