Newport Music Hall was packed to the brim for Wolf Alice’s long-awaited return to Columbus on September 25, and the band did not disappoint. The night began with an impressive set from opener Willy Mason, who set the tone with his mellow yet rich sound. While his performance started on the chill side, the energy picked up as the set went on, especially when Jessie Pinnick joined him on vocals. Their harmonies carried beautifully across the room, and the crowd got an extra treat when Mason debuted an unreleased song. By the end, the audience was fully warmed up for what was to come.
From the moment Wolf Alice took the stage, the energy in the room was electric. The band opened strong, filling the venue with soaring sound and vibrant stage design. A sparkling tinsel backdrop shimmered behind them, while a disco ball glimmered overhead. Later in the set, bubbles floated through the crowd, adding a magical touch that had fans reaching up and laughing as they kept dancing.
Ellie Rowsell’s vocals were the heart of the night. Her control, range, and ability to hold a note left the crowd in awe, while her high notes were nothing short of stunning. During “Just Two Girls,” as the disco ball spun above, a group of fans at the barricade belted out every lyric alongside her; a reminder of the deep connection Wolf Alice has with their audience. That connection never let up. From start to finish, fans screamed along to every line, danced with abandon, and jumped in unison to the beat. The passion in the room matched the intensity coming from the stage.
The band leaned into dynamic visuals throughout the set, most memorably during “Leaning Against the Wall.” The dramatic lighting paired with thunderous drumming, by Joel Amey, elevated the song into one of the night’s most powerful performances. An acoustic rendition of “Safe From a Heartbreak (If You Never Fall in Love)” offered a more intimate moment, but even then the crowd made their presence known, shouting the line ‘YOU FUCKED WITH MY FEELINGS’ so loudly it rivaled the band’s volume.
While longtime guitarist Joff Oddie couldn’t join the tour as he awaits the arrival of his first child, Wolf Alice made sure his presence was felt. In his own words, shared in a post to fans: “I won’t be joining the guys on our North American tour as I’m awaiting the birth of my first baby. I’m sad I won’t be with you but I’ll be leaving you in the capable hands of John Victor who is one of my fav all time guitarists and a lovely man to boot.” The crowd’s cheers carried congratulations to Oddie from afar, while John Victor more than delivered, blending seamlessly with the rest of the band and bringing his own high-octane energy to the stage.
Speaking of energy, bassist Theo Ellis was a force of nature all night, bounding across the stage and hyping up the crowd alongside Victor. At one point he remarked, “We’ve been here a few times and we’ve never had this many people,” a testament to just how much the band’s following has grown in Columbus. With a nearly sold-out room, the passion from both the audience and the band fed off one another, creating a night that felt as celebratory as it did cathartic.
Wolf Alice’s stop at Newport Music Hall was proof of why their fans show up with so much passion. From bubbles floating above the crowd to Ellie’s breathtaking vocals and the unrelenting energy from the band, every moment felt like something special to hold onto. Nights like this remind you why live music matters. The chance to scream your heart out, dance shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers, and feel completely connected to the songs you love.
With more U.S. dates running through October and a European and UK tour this November, fans everywhere still have a chance to be part of the experience. Don’t miss it. For full tour dates and ticket information, visit wolfalice.co.uk.
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