Photo Credit: Kaya McNeill-Simms
The O2 Academy in Liverpool hosted one of the most electric nights in rock music courtesy of WUNDERHORSE and supporting act HIGH SCHOOL. It’s safe to say that it was one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to and I’ve been to a lot of amazing gigs…
The supporting act, HIGH SCHOOL, did a great job in setting the tone for the night and getting the crowd ready for what was going to be a night full of high energy. Hailing from Melbourne, the group took the audience on a journey that felt both fresh and nostalgic. They brought with them a fusion of influences that echo that of 90s-00s indie rock all while bringing their own modern twist into the fray. The set exuded energy as they got the crowd warmed up. The group was well received as the crowd danced and cheered along. Although a short set, it was thoroughly enjoyable as the air crackled with anticipation on what was to come.
The atmosphere became tense and excitable as ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow/Loser’ blared over the speakers. Phones were quickly brought out and cheers and screams quickly filled the air as WUNDERHORSE took to the stage. A band that needed no introduction, the group quickly took their instruments and launched into ‘Midas‘, the titular track of their latest album. To say that it was an electrifying start to the night would be an understatement. The crowd responded swiftly, with deafening cheering and screaming greeting the group.
The band wasted little time, flowing straight into ‘Butterfly’ and ‘Emily’. One particular thing that captured my attention was how the stage switched between different coloured lights and plunging into darkness which added another level of intensity the music created. The band brought the hype levels down with ‘Girl‘, but the energy is still felt as the crowd sing along with leading man Jacob Slater. As the band move into ‘Cathedrals’ and ‘Leader of the Pack’, we are greeted by the first mosh pit of the evening. It was then that Slater, who had kept crowd interaction minimal until this point, engaged directly with the crowd, asking how everyone is doing. It was plain to see that crowd had never felt better, with their screams, cheers and belting along to the lyrics filling the entire venue. It was fast paced and wild territory as multiple mosh pits could be seen from my place on the venue’s balcony. The energy was infectious as literal strangers were pulling each other into the mosh pits, an interesting yet somewhat endearing camaraderie.
Things slow down again as Slater crooned ‘Aeroplane’ to the audience, who eagerly lapped it up. The crowd’s passion was undeniable and it was clear that they had a deep connection to the song as they began to sing even before Slater did. This was perhaps the most intimate moment of the entire set. As ‘Silver’ and ‘Purple’ played back to back, it started to feel almost intrusive watching the crowd interact with each other as they welcomed the break of the mosh pits as instead, they swayed with their arms around their friends, old and new. Couples were wrapped in each other’s arms with the occasional kiss pressed to the backs of girlfriends’ heads and fingers gently ran across hands as they let themselves be carried away by the lyricism of gentle performance of the group. The crowd just embraced the music as they sang along softly alongside Slater in a stark contrast to earlier in the evening where they screamed and cheered so loudly that sore throats seemed to be inevitable the morning after.
All shreds of intimacy and calmness quickly evaporated during the instrumental of the latter track as mosh pits quickly formed again, with Slater and his fellow bandmates encouraged the crowd’s energy to increase, making the mosh pits even more intense and wild. Rain served to up the ante even further as I started to feel like I had been taken back though time to a 90s rock gig. Friends were hoisted on shoulders, arms were waving in the air and screaming made its grand comeback as Slater repeatedly asked the audience “do you feel the rain?” as the intensity increased, the mosh pits grew wilder and the singing grew more powerful and excitable. It’s worth noting that Slater’s ability to completely transform a crowd’s mood based on his lyricism and performance was one of the most impressive things I’ve ever seen at a gig. The entire band can keep the audience fully engaged despite the differing paces and tones of the set and it was truly magical to experience it.
As ‘Rain’ closes out, the band abandon their instruments and leave the stage wordlessly, leaving the crowd demanding more. Rhythmic chants and clapping rang out as the crowd demanded another song. There was no way the band would leave so anticlimactically so an encore was imminent. I found myself holding my breath as the band swiftly remerged onto the stage as if they never left. I could feel the anticipation and intensity crackle in the air before the song even started as I knew that the crowd was going to go absolutely insane, even more so than they had throughout the evening. There was no way the crowd was going to themselves forget this moment so they swiftly brought out their phones, a majority of which had absent throughout the set as fans lived in the moment rather than through their phones.
The encore was a perfect closer to the night. During ‘Teal’ and ‘July’, Slater subtly closed the gap between the band and fans as he moved closer to the edge of the stage. Closing out the show was incredible percussion, electrifying riffs and deafening cheers from the crowd as the band leave one by one, leaving only slater as he crooned the final notes before dramatically dumping his guitar and making his final exit wordlessly once again. Truth be told, no words needed to be said. The entire show spoke for itself.
From start to finish, WUNDERHORSE effortlessly took the crowd on a journey with a cleverly crafted setlist composed in both wild, fast paced numbers and slow, intimate ballads placed in a way that an engaging pattern was formed. As the songs slow down, the crowd also slow down, calming themselves down from the erratic mosh pits and fanatic cheering. As the intimacy of the ballads faded away, the fans geared themselves up again. There wasn’t a single dull moment throughout the entire show, proving that WUNDERHORSE are quickly and effectively coming into their own as artists. Its evident that they know how to leave a crowd wanting more, with songs from both their debut and sophomore albums on their way to becoming cult classis regardless of their very recent releases.
This gig is well on its way to becoming one of the best ones I’ve ever attended. With the most attentive and engaged crowds I’ve ever come across, WUNDERHORSE have shown that they are not a band to be underestimated as they are truly on their way to make their mark in the rock music scene and to cement their place as an act you will talk about for years to come.
Words by Kaya McNeill-Simms
Taped Magazine 