Wolf Alice's Landmark Homecoming Show at Finsbury Park
Wolf Alice performed their largest headline concert to date, captivating 45,000 fans at London's Finsbury Park.
A poignant moment unfolded during their rendition of "Bros," a track celebrating enduring friendships. The video screens displayed archival footage of the band’s early days—touring in cramped vans, taking shots, and performing to a solitary audience member at Coventry's Kasbah club.
While the band made no explicit reference to the visuals, the message was unmistakable: a reflection on their journey from humble beginnings to major success.
Formed 16 years ago by vocalist Ellie Rowsell and guitarist Joff Oddie, Wolf Alice has steadily established itself as one of the UK’s premier young rock bands.
On Sunday, they solidified their position by headlining their own mini-festival, leading a predominantly female lineup that featured The Last Dinner Party, Lykke Li, and Rachel Chinouriri.
The lone fan depicted on the screen has since multiplied into an audience of 45,000—the largest crowd the band has ever performed for. The significance is heightened by the venue’s location in the north London neighborhood where the band members first met.
"I grew up over there and I live over there,"
said bassist Theo Ellis, gesturing towards the horizon from the stage.
"You have no idea how much this means to us."
Unlike some bands that might emphasize such milestones, Wolf Alice maintained a composed demeanor throughout the performance.
Drummer Joel Amey injected humor during "The Sofa," exaggerating his accent while singing about feeling "stuck in Seven Sisters, Norf Lahn-dan," prompting Rowsell to suppress her laughter as the song concluded.
Wolf Alice holds the distinction of being the only band nominated for the Mercury Prize for each of their first four albums, winning the award in 2018 for Visions of a Life.
Their broad smiles throughout the concise 100-minute set reflected their pride and satisfaction.
"It's going to be so special,"
Ellis told the press earlier this year. "Being able to play outside in the dark feels so exciting. It just builds a really special atmosphere."
However, the day before the concert, the band expressed mixed emotions.
"Feeling cheeky hehehehehe and also sick,"
they posted on Instagram.
Those concerns proved unfounded as Wolf Alice delivered a triumphant rock performance that showcased the diversity of their repertoire and their development as live performers.
The band took the stage at 7:50 pm, opening with "Bloom Baby Bloom," a track that transitions from a funky piano introduction to an intense rock crescendo, featuring Rowsell’s vocals shifting from choir-like to a raw, powerful wail.
The energetic start set the tone for a relentless pace throughout the show.
They followed with "White Horses," a standout from their recent album The Clearing, before revisiting earlier material with "Formidable Cool," whose gritty riff allowed Rowsell to strut along the catwalk, embodying a glam rock persona.
"Say hello to the big ball!" Rowsell announced as a massive mirrorball descended onto the stage.
The setlist largely mirrored their recent festival appearances but included special treats for dedicated fans.
"Lisbon," a punk-infused track from their debut album, was performed rarely, as was "White Leather," a tender, folk-inspired ballad originally the B-side of their debut single "Fluffy" from 2012.
Rowsell delivered "White Leather" from a podium at the rear of the stage, swinging her legs while framed by a giant glittery star.
This was one of the few nods to stadium-level production the band has adopted since signing with Sony in 2024.
They enhanced their biggest songs with confetti cannons and added an honorary fifth member, Ryan Malcolm, who contributed keyboards and additional rhythm guitar to enrich their sound.
Rowsell also performed a mid-set costume change, switching from pristine white hotpants to an all-black outfit, which she drenched in cold water to combat the intense summer heat.
The loudest segment of the set featured a change in energy as the band unleashed "Yuk Foo," "Play the Greatest Hits" (with Rowsell commenting "it isn't loud enough"), and "Smile," a fierce critique of misogyny underscored by a heavy bass riff.
The band matched the music’s intensity on stage: Oddie tossed his guitar into the air and swung it around his neck with abandon; Ellis pumped his fists energetically; Rowsell climbed onto the drum riser, donned Amey's bumblebee sunglasses, and screamed into a megaphone.
Following this intense sequence, the band transitioned into a closing stretch featuring their most popular tracks, including "Lipstick on the Glass" and "The Last Man on Earth," culminating with the poignant "Don't Delete The Kisses."
"This is a song about love,"
Rowsell announced. "If you've got a crush, you should probably tell them."
A fan shouted back, "My crush is on you, Ellie," as dreamy synths introduced the anthemic chorus: "Me and you were meant to be in loooove!"
The day-long festival also featured performances by The Last Dinner Party, Florence Road, Lykke Li, Rachel Chinouriri, and Keo.
For the encore, Wolf Alice surprised the crowd with a cover of Nirvana’s "Smells Like Teen Spirit," sparking a vigorous mosh pit.
The concert concluded with "Giant Peach," a song reflecting on growing up in London and the band's affection for the city described as "this dark and pretty town."
This served as a fitting finale to a hometown show of great significance.
Rowsell expressed gratitude to the entire crew, including the creator of their giant 40-foot glitterball, affectionately known as "Mirrorball Paul." She told the audience, "I'll love you forever."
This event capped a remarkable year for Wolf Alice, which included their second number one album and winning Best British Group at the Brit Awards. In March, they were personally invited by The Cure's Robert Smith to perform at a Teenage Cancer Trust concert, who praised them as a band "at the top of their game."
Looking ahead, the band aims to expand their presence in the United States.
Having already played 284 American shows over the past decade and regularly filling 2,000-capacity venues, they are set to take a significant step forward by supporting Olivia Rodrigo on the first 18 arena dates of her world tour this September.
As Rowsell remarked at the start of the homecoming concert: "The time is now."
It is a milestone well deserved by the band.
Wolf Alice Setlist - Finsbury Park, 5 July 2025
The band shared a backstage photo capturing their anticipation and excitement prior to the gig.
