The band from Newquay lived up to their reputation for live performances.
Walking out confidently to the gritty sounds of The Waterboys’ ‘Don’t Bang The Drum,’ a departure from their previous entrance song, Beck’s ‘Loser,’ Wunderhorse arrived at the renowned Alexandra Palace with a purposeful swagger. Fronted by Jacob Slater, and joined by Harry, Jamie, and recent member Seb Byford, they delivered their largest headline show to date with the assuredness of a group fully aware of the significance of the moment.
Kicking off with the dynamic ‘Midas,’ the band quickly energized the already enthusiastic crowd, whose devotion to each member was evident from the start. While fans continue to argue over ‘Cub’ and ‘Midas’, the band paid no mind, delivering an emphatic performance of songs from both as they powered through their set, building momentum as they went.
What distinguishes Wunderhorse from their contemporaries is their explosive approach to their craft, harnessing the raw intensity of ’90s grunge blended with the classic UK rock sound. Alexandra Palace was no exception to this; the show was high-energy, relentless, and captivating from beginning to end. Tracks like ‘Cathedrals’ and ‘Leader Of The Pack’ provided immersive, high-octane experiences, while ‘Arizona’ introduced a refreshing change of pace, highlighting Slater's lyrical depth and emotional range.
As ‘Purple’ commenced, their signature backdrop of ‘wunderhorse’ shimmered in its respective hue, lighting up the iconic venue. However, the night’s biggest surprise was the unreleased ‘The Rope,’ a track that seems to naturally follow ‘Midas.’ Although it hasn’t been officially released yet, the crowd sang every lyric passionately, a moment that even elicited a rare smile from Jacob, who appeared touched by the genuine connection.
The band pressed on with ‘Rain,’ which included an interlude featuring Dick Dale & The Del Tones’ ‘Misirlou,’ before transitioning into ‘Silver’ and the more somber ‘Superman,’ showcasing some of their most impactful tracks while still leaving the audience wanting more. For the encore, they returned with ‘Teal,’ a beloved favorite delivered with fierce energy, before wrapping up with ‘July.’
Wunderhorse showed up, brought the house down, and left having solidified their position as one of the most exciting homegrown rock acts currently. They performed precisely as one would expect from a group on such an upward trajectory, and it won’t be long before their anthems fill larger venues.
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Words: Ben Boyd
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Entering with confidence to the harsh sounds of The Waterboys’ 'Don’t Bang The Drum', a shift from their earlier entrance theme of Beck’s ‘Loser’,