Boring is the enemy as Wolf Alice 'surprise' Reading Festival

Wolf Alice’s return might have been fuelled by the fizzing, strobe lit urgency of ‘Yuk Foo’ and the sweat-drenched excitement of their teeny UK tour but today, as they pop up at Reading Festival for a semi-secret set, they prove they’re totally in command of their own march forward. Most bands would do the expected, starting with a comfortable hit to settle nerves, get the people moving and score early points, but Wolf Alice don’t need victories today. They left their scene at the top and distance has only made the heart grow fonder. Predictable isn’t an offer. Boring is the enemy. ‘Don’t Delete The Kisses’, a perfume dipped love letter that twinkles with delicate hearts and careful words, opens things up. It might be gentle, wearing rose-tints and peering out with wide-eyes but that doesn’t dampen the fierce connection Wolf Alice have forged. Every word means something, to band and crowd. The swing of ‘Bros’ follows, underlining this parade. As the slanted anthems of youthful affection and gnarled frustration flare up, down, and throughout the ever-swelling tent, Wolf Alice unfurl. ‘Yuk Foo’ sits next to ‘You’re A Germ’, already firmly at home with muddy boots under the table while the relative newcomer of ‘Beautifully Unconventional’ further twists what you think you know about the band, while underlining their starshine brilliant. See, for all the shock and pull of which direction Wolf Alice are heading, today is a sprawling reminder that they’re too busy looking around to care. The horizon runs in all directions. Wolf Alice are more than happy to chase the light. The set crashes, spins and dances under their own glorious vision, ending with Ellie leaning into the crowd screaming her heart out before the eternal terrace anthem of ‘Giant Peach’ takes over. It takes a certain romance for a band to end a secret set with more excitement than they started with but Wolf Alice have always carried a special sort of wonder. Today it crackles, coming to the surface with big, bold strides. This might be a secret set, tucked away in a quiet corner of the festival, but the message couldn’t be louder. Wolf Alice are back. Death to dull.