Wolf Alice played a sold out show at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on 5 December, bringing their current tour to one of Yorkshire’s largest indoor venues. The evening featured two support acts, Bria Salmena and Sunflower Bean, before the London four piece took to the stage.

Bria Salmena opened the night with a subdued, atmospheric set that gradually drew the audience in, offering a contrast to what would follow. Sunflower Bean then raised the energy in the arena, delivering a confident and polished performance that was well received and helped prepare the crowd for the headline act.

Wolf Alice’s stage setup reflected the visual style promoted throughout the tour. A tinsel curtain backdrop shimmered behind the band, while lead singer Ellie Rowsell appeared in a leotard, reinforcing a glam rock inspired aesthetic that matched the tour posters and artwork. The production was striking without being overly elaborate and worked effectively within the large arena setting.

The band opened their set with “Thorns” and “Bloom Baby Bloom”, the latter also serving as the opening track on their latest album. Starting the night with two new songs signalled their focus on recent material, which formed the core of the setlist. Almost the entire latest album was performed, with “Midnight Song” and “White Horses” the only tracks omitted. The newer songs translated well live, sounding fuller and more powerful in the arena environment.

Despite the emphasis on recent material, Wolf Alice made sure to include a number of established fan favourites. “Bros” prompted a strong reaction from the crowd, while “Lipstick on the Glass” was another standout moment that showcased the band’s ability to balance intimacy with scale. Throughout the set, the band appeared composed and assured, clearly comfortable performing to an audience of this size.

The concert concluded with “Don’t Delete The Kisses”, which remains the band’s most popular track. The song was met with enthusiastic singalong from the audience and provided a fitting end to the night.

Overall, the Leeds show demonstrated Wolf Alice’s continued growth as a live act. The combination of a cohesive visual theme, a confident performance and a setlist that blended new material with well known songs resulted in a polished and well received arena performance.

PHOTOS BY Kaya McNeil-Simms for THE SONGBIRD_HQ