Words by Joy McKay. Pictures: Ritta Boll.
After a brief hiatus locals Wet Leg released a new album accompanied by a tour this year. The Isle of Wight two piece having officially added their touring musicians to the band they looked to be louder and fresher than ever as they commenced the “closest to home” (wet) leg of the tour at Portsmouth Guildhall for a sold-out gig (20th November).
Opening the show were Faux Real – a Franco-American ‘Art Pop’ combo consisting of siblings Elliott and Virgile Arndt. They delivered something between The Fifth Dimension and Daft Punk. This futuristic folky duo combine immaculate choreography with pitch perfect harmonies adding occasional electric guitar (shaped like a padlock) and flute. In matching crop tops, loose trousers and kilts they danced in unison across the stage whilst performing beautiful melodies and using a variety of light sources to accentuate shape and add drama. As a band previously unknown to me their performance was unexpected, but enchanting. A wonderful experience.
The new expanded Wet Leg then took to the stage. Founding members Rhian Teesdale and Hester Chambers now joined by Henry Holmes, Josh Mobaraki and Ellis Durand. Rhian was dressed, now customarily, as a post-apocalyptic Barbarella and whilst the sound is familiar the stage vision is far from what I remember from my early experience of the band seeing them in Southampton at The Joiners back in 2022. The additional band members seem to give Rhian the freedom to be the front woman and you can see she revels in the limelight. Now having a distinct stage persona performing in front of a fan (for constant good hair) her aesthetic is carefully constructed, and it works. Hester, on the other hand, is often barely visible throughout the performance preferring to stay as far back on stage as is possible, behind the smoke and the lights, facing her guitar monitor rather than the audience and coming forward (only as far as mid stage) to perform her harmonises when needed. These musicians contrast how they are experiencing their fame and popularity but still shared many tender moments during the show.
Wet Leg’s set included tracks from both their 2022 self-titled debut album and the new release Moisturizer. The stage dressing minimal, just lights and smoke adding a little old school theatricality. As always the sound at Portsmouth Guildhall was excellent; loud, but well balanced. The band’s performance was slick, but comfortable. Confident but friendly, acknowledging the local crowd, many of whom had travelled from the island, including the bands’ own family and friends. A great homecoming.
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