Wet Leg @ Popscene 12/15/2021

 

Wet Leg @ Popscene 12/15/2021
photo by Mo Howard

Last month Wet Leg made their San Francisco debut at the one and only Popscene, the city's premier indie night club, which was hosted at  Rickshaw Stop.

The British band from Isle of Wight, founded by Rhain Teasdale and Hester Chambers released the underground hit single of Summer 2021, "Chaise Lounge".

It's quirky, clever lyrics, buzzing guitars and uninterested monotone are undeniably indie, sparking people's interest which quickly made it and the girls behind it a sensation.
Their SF debut show sold-out just as quick. 

It had been a while since I had been to Popscene, so long in fact I can't recall the last time I was there. I was excited to be back, excited to be approved to cover Wet Leg and excited that one of my good friends who I work music festivals with was in town and able to join me.

Wet Leg @ Popscene 12/15/2021
photo by Mo Howard

The place was packed by the time we got there which was well after doors opened and after the opening acted. From what I could see the crowd was around my age, a sight to see with the reputation that Popscene has of debuting the hottest breaking bands and usually drawing a younger crowd.  I wasn't about to push my way through the thick of the crowd to get a better view of the band and scope out the whole scene though. Proof of vaccinations were being checked at the door but still, it was definitely too close for my new normal comfort level. 

Wet Leg @ Popscene 12/15/2021
photo by Nikki DeMartini

It was surprising to see Teasdale and Chambers joined by four other for a total of six people on stage. Wet Leg the duo is a full band ensemble live or at least they were that night in SF. They all seemed to vibe well with each other while they played but their stage presence was lacking. Just about as stagnant as the crowd, the band not surprisingly found themselves in a spot most bands have been at one point especially as they’re emerging. Wet Leg, for as popular as they are and are becoming, are still finding their voice on stage.

They started their set with what could be considered their second single, the riffy, poetic, garage/indie rock hybrid "Too Late Now". 

Being from the Bay Area and going to shows here my whole life, though the crowd was stagnant for the most part I could tell that they were into it. Something about air about them and the way they intently watched the show. The lighting was dark and harsh with lots of red washing everyone out, adding to the "cool" kid aesthetic the show already had and the vibe that Popscene is known for. With no banter between songs the eleven song set seemed to fly right by. Before I knew it that guitar driven, rhythmic intro of "Chaise Lounge" filled the room. Wet Leg saved their best known song for last as most up and coming bands do. It riled some signs of life through out the crowd as some people sang along to and some bopped about. As soon as the hit song was over, Wet Leg left the stage, house lights came up and everyone there hightailed it toward the exit. 

Wet Leg @ Popscene 12/15/2021
photo by Mo Howard

Wet Leg opened for CHVRCHES at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium the night after playing Popscene and they recently announced up coming tour dates through out Europe, North America and Canada. They've also announced the release date of their first album, April 8th, 2022!  The more live shows they play the more comfortable they'll become on stage and I'm looking forward to seeing where this wave takes Wet Leg. 

set-list 12/15/2021

1. Too Late Now
2. It's Not Fun 
3. Ur Mom 
4. Wet Dream 
5. Supermarket 
6. Loving You 
7. Obvious 
8. Oh No 
9. Being In Love 
10. Angelica 
11. Chaise Lounge