There are countless theories on the origin of our universe, some believe that an almighty power somehow awoke and began crafting our existence with some sort of bigger plan and purpose in mind. Science claims it was a massive explosion, equal parts chaotic and beautiful, that created us. One thing I know for sure is that I literally saw god when Wet Leg completely reconstructed time and space during their performance at Arizona Financial Theatre on October 3rd.
Before surrendering ourselves to the wild, ecstatic wave of madness that Wet Leg would soon unleash, we were gently swept into the world of their enchanting opener, Mary in the Junkyard. The British trio stepped out to a massive crowd with a quiet humility. The atmosphere was fragile like candlelight, each strum of the guitar guiding us through raw emotions ready to erupt at any moment, each as unpredictable as the flicker of a flame. The more tender moments in their songs were filled in with hypnotic melodies, leading into cathartic eruptions. These moments added a light eeriness to the experience, it felt like we were harnessing spiritual forces and elements from the universe.
If I were to imagine what the big bang was like I would describe it as closely resembling what I unfolded during Wet Leg’s performance. Retina searing flashes of light, bombastic sounds entering our realm, godlike figures stepping out from behind a thick wall of smoke obscuring their every move until finally revealed to us. I felt completely enveloped in light and smoke as they started their set with their thunderous hit single “Catch These Fists”. My eyes strained against relentless strobe bursts that seemed determined to blind me, until the haze parted just enough for a vision to take form, a godlike presence striding toward the center of the stage, arms flexed in command of the moment. I felt like I was frozen in time and space, but I was not alone, all of us mortals in attendance were holding our breaths waiting for the moment when lead vocalist and guitarist Rhian Teasdale would grab hold of that microphone and unleash a voice that would rearrange the architecture of our minds.
Wet Leg’s energy was magnetic, each member exuded rock star charisma so effortlessly, we often see Rhian get the spotlight but her bandmates – Hester Chambers, Henry Holmes, Josh Mobaraki and Ellis Durand – offer a dynamic wall of sound that is equal parts delicate and explosive. As the night progressed we experienced tender love songs “11:21”, fun and witty love songs “davina mccall”, ferocious and obsessive love songs “jennifer’s body”… We all fell in love with the body language put on display by Rhian and her bandmates, the wonderful and soothing crowd interactions in between songs, as the wall of smoke began to fade we felt completely in synchronized with the band and it solidified the fact that each of them were enjoying the moment as much as we were. It truly felt like we had created our own little universe.
