Wet Leg, O2 Academy Brixton, London review • DIY Magazine

At this point, Wet Leg could coast on the momentum of their meteoric success. From the virality of their 2021 single ‘Chaise Lounge’ to the widespread acclaim of their self-titled debut album, the Isle of Wight duo - formed by Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers - have struck indie rock gold. A whirlwind three years since has seen them collect accolades, tour extensively, and expand into a fully-fledged band. Now, standing in a sold-out O2 Academy Brixton that heaves with excitement for the next chapter of Wet Leg, it feels as though they really are only just getting started.

The venue swells with applause as the now five-piece take to the stage, opening with ‘catch these fists’ - the first release from forthcoming sophomore record ‘moisturizer’. And if one thing is obvious, it’s that fans are more than ready for this new era, as the attitude-fuelled track captures the audience immediately. It’s hard not to be entranced from the outset; there’s a fresh confidence in Teasdale as she holds a strongwoman pose, an audible smirk in her sardonic, unflinching vocal delivery. As starts go, it’s nothing short of iconic, and as the set unfolds, they never falter.

Boldly testing the waters, they continue with the unreleased ‘liquidise’ before bringing things back to their debut era with ‘Being In Love’. It’s here that Teasdale takes a moment to reminisce on the early days of Wet Leg before introducing the band - a conspicuous bunch who thus far have been locked into the task at hand: bringing the music to life, and having fun doing it.

Tapping into a bit more nostalgia, the band propel into ‘Wet Dream’, which the audience meet with a matched energy that stays consistent across all the crowd pleasers, including the collective primal scream of ‘Ur Mum’ (which fans have very clearly practiced) and the call-and-response “Excuse me? What!” of ‘Chaise Lounge’.

The hits are undeniable, but the new material is a definitive highlight. In addition to ‘catch these fists’, six unreleased songs build upon the freaky realm of Wet Leg’s imagination, maintaining their sharp, dry wit and irresistible oddball charm while pursuing a new sound that invites more twists and turns. Whether deriving inspiration from the lush interplay of Katy J. Pearson’s synth-pop sonics and introspective folk melodies on ‘davina mccall’, or pushing into heavy, dense rock textures on ‘pillow talk’, Wet Leg are not content to rest on their laurels. Rather, they are willing to explore grittier territory without sacrificing their signature playful irreverence, creating a compelling landscape which perfectly balances catchy anthems with the excitement of the unexpected.

The ripe hour of 10:20 arrives just as Wet Leg close with ‘CPR’ - a jagged, punchy lifeline which rounds off the set nicely. Though there is time for a much-desired encore, their departure from the stage is final; Wet Leg’s story, however, is clearly far from over. Glimpses into ‘moisturizer’ indicate that the new record will not just sustain their heady buzz, but deepen it - for now, though, the fans are sated.

Tags: Wet Leg, Reviews, Live Reviews