Wunderhorse have risen phenomenally since their debut release, Cub, in 2022. Midas marks a new era for the group as an established four-piece, propelling them only further into stardom.
From performing to a crowd just shy of 300 in Newcastle’s The Cluny in March 2023, they’ve hurtled towards a sold out 2000-strong NX in just 18 months, supporting the likes of Fontaines D.C. and Sam Fender along the way. It’s no mean feat, but one which Wunderhorse were surely always destined for.
Judy Garland’s ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ fills the room, before the band enter to Beck’s ‘Loser’. They careen straight into a punching rendition of title track Midas, before rattling through a perfect blend of old and new tracks. Frontman Jacob Slater commands the noise and the crowd, despite the thrashing and thumping of his band beneath him.
A simple but well-crafted guitar-led intro brings in Leader of the Pack, which billows through the mosh and signals that the best is yet to come.
New hits Silver and Rain are gritty, raw and emphatic, with fan favourite Purple wedged between the two, stealing the spotlight for this trio of tracks. Not considering their inevitable encore, this is the peak of the set.
The soul-stirring Superman brings the set to a close, bringing with it a cathartic end to a thundering performance. It’s an exposed but powerful piece, which demonstrates the band’s ability to enrapture without the driving force of heavy guitar and drum backings.
They clearly aren’t done yet though – chants for Teal have been ringing out since Wunderhorse first took the stage, and they follow them backstage as the band take their leave.
Upon their return, the instantly recognisable guitar riff echoes throughout the room and the encore begins, with Teal shattering all expectations, and July vehemently seeing us through to the end of the night.
As the band leave the stage for the final time on their sold-out UK and Ireland tour, they mark the end of a chapter which has seen them forge a dedicated fanbase of young indie rockers at a blistering rate. Wunderhorse are becoming one of the hottest British rock bands of their generation, and are surely only going to ascend higher on their meteoric rise.
Waxing Lyrical 