Wet Leg’s whirlwind success since 2021—from “Chaise Longue” to multiple awards and opening for giants like Harry Styles—might suggest a comfort zone. Their electrifying performance at Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse, however, unveiled a band relentlessly pushing forward. This is a new iteration: an expanded five-piece featuring full-time members Ellis Durand, Josh Mobaraki, and Henry Holmes, who’ve injected a more muscular, polished, and outright rock-driven energy into their sound.
The stage erupted in a tide of red and white smoke as the quintet launched into the ferocious “Catch These Fists.” Vocalist Rhian Teasdale’s iconic bicep flex perfectly matched the track’s driving beat and thick bassline, instantly setting a commanding tone for an enthralling night. With their hotly anticipated second album, “Moisturizer,” still largely under wraps, this sold-out tour underscored a band brimming with justified confidence in their new material. It’s clear Wet Leg’s next move is to headline bigger stages, and that leap feels imminent.
Inside the intimate Victoria Warehouse, Wet Leg projected the magnetic presence of a stadium-filling act, transforming the venue into a vast arena. Fan favourites exploded: “Ur Mum” triggered a seismic wave of screams, “Wet Dream” became an exhilarating, sing-along phenomenon, and the fuzzy chorus of “Oh No” was roared back with full force. Their set, a perfect fusion of past hits and five captivating unreleased tracks, hinted at the depth of “Moisturizer”—from the dance-punk intensity of “Pillow Talk” to the anthemic power of “Davina McCall” and the roaring indie-rock of “Mangetout.”
The night concluded with a powerful one-two punch: the majestic live rendition of “Chaise Longue” seamlessly flowed into a heart-racing “CPR,” leaving the audience buzzing as their UK tour concluded. Though just over an hour, Wet Leg delivered a masterclass in frenetic energy and raw talent. With major festival slots looming, their next chapter is ready to unfold, and Manchester’s larger arenas undoubtedly await their return.
