Wet Leg Returns To NYC To Cap Off A Banner Year

Exactly one year ago this month, the British indie rock act Wet Leg – which consists of the duo of singers-guitarists Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers—played their first-ever U.S. live show beginning with a sold-out gig at New York City’s Mercury Lounge. Without yet having released a full-length studio debut album at the time, Wet Leg caused a considerable stir with their catchy single “Chaise Longue.” The mindlessly catchy rocker became a massive hit that generated millions of Spotify streams (up to 37 million as of this writing) and transformed the two friends from the Isle of Wight into viral stars.

Fast forward to the present, and following diligent touring and press attention, Wet Leg is one of the hottest musical acts that dominated 2022. Their self-titled first album has garnered critical raves since its release earlier this year and appeared already in many year-end best-of lists. Most recently, the duo has been nominated for five Grammy awards that includes the categories of Best New Artist, Best Alternative Album (Wet Leg) and Best Alternative Music Performance (“Chaise Longue”).

Capping off a hugely successful year for them, Wet Leg recently returned to tour the States this December, including a four-night string of dates in New York City, all of which was essentially a victory lap for Chambers and Teasdale. The duo and their excellent band played to a packed crowd inside the Bowery Ballroom Thursday evening, and the group’s energy beginning with their opening song “Being in Love” never let up during the approximately one-hour set.

Aside from their brand of trippy and danceable post-punk rock, the appeal of Wet Leg can be traced to their semi-autobiographical lyrics that speak about young people’s angst, malaise, and trials and tribulations—complemented by some self-deprecation wit and humor. “It just so happens there is a running theme of disenchantment—like being sad at parties,” Teasdale said in an interview from earlier this year about the Wet Leg album.

Naturally, Wet Leg played nearly every song from their self-titled album, which could be considered a de facto greatest hits collection. In contrast to the studio record, Wet Leg’s songs in a live setting sounded much rawer and rocking bordering on punk and pile-driving heavy metal. Inside the Ballroom, it was one catchy and memorable song after another–among them “Ur Mum” (in which the audience members participated in a scream mid-song),” “Supermarket,” “Angelica,” “Too Late Now,” “I Don’t Wanna Go Out,” “Wet Dream” and “Piece of S***.” The band also unveiled a non-album song, the reflective-sounding “Obvious.”

Of course, the set ended with Wet Leg’s now-signature song “Chaise Longue,” which got the Ballroom crowd taking out their smartphones and rocking out. It put an exclamation point on a triumphant year for Wet Leg, prompting further anticipation of what they’ll do next in the coming years.

Wet Leg will play Friday night at Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York.

Set List:

Being in Love

Wet Dream

Supermarket

Convincing

I Don’t Wanna Go Out

Obvious

Oh No

Ur Mum

Piece of S***

Too Late Now

Angelica

Chaise Longue