Wet Leg at Portsmouth Guildhall: 'An aggression and lack of inhibition that is entirely liberating' | Review

Even before the band hit the stage, the atmosphere is electric and the sell out crowd is clearly anticipating great things.

The last time they played their own show here it was at The Wedgewood Rooms. Now on second album moisturizer, they’ve stepped up to the Guildhall.

Frontwoman Rhian Teasdale’s stark, and somewhat confrontational stylings – a radical change from the ‘cottage core’ look of their debut album’s campaign – no longer have the shock of the new, but it’s still a bold look.

And she is now very much the focal point of the band – standing at the mic and flexing her biceps as the band kick into opener catch these fists, staring down any naysayers. Not that you’re likely to find any in the house tonight.

Often freed from playing the guitar, she prowls the stage, owning every inch of it.

While Teasdale has grown into the role of rockstar, her co-founder Hester Chambers has seemingly retreated from the limelight in equal measure.

The guitarist spends much of her time in the recesses of the Guildhall’s cavernous stage, often facing the back wall as she plays. It’s a curious position, more suited to that of a hired player.

Occasionally Teasdale will join her bandmate for some cute choreographed moves, and the pair seem to share a joke or two off-mic, but the contrast in demeanour between the two is striking.

Their other bandmates, guitarist Josh Mobaraki, bassist Ellis Durand and drummer Henry Holmes have also stepped up to being full-time members on this album, and it shows in their more assured stage presence.

Mobaraki is the chattiest between numbers. Teasdale rarely talks – only asking if there’s anyone in from the Isle of Wight tonight – cue massive cheers – as this is the closest they’ll get to a hometown gig, and apologising for fluffing the lyrics to Angelica.

That apology aside, there’s an aggression and lack of inhibition to the songs’ delivery that is entirely liberating.

Ur Mum from their debut is a set highlight, if only for encouraging the audience to unleash an unholy mass howl.

Teasdale lets the audience lead on their breakout single Chaise Longue, which is still capable of raising a wry smile.

And recent single CPR lopes in on a lascivious groove that has the room bouncing. They finish with the kiss-off of mangetout and they’re done. No encores, just 19 songs in 70 minutes.

With dates at their biggest ever headline shows already announced for next summer, including the 10,000 capacity Alexandra Palace, a show like this may be a final chance to catch the band in such ‘intimate’ surroundings.

Resistance is futile.