Live Review : Wolf Alice @ The Buckhead Theater, Atlanta - September 10th 2025

Chris Collett
Sep 12
3 min read

Updated: Sep 15

Wolf Alice chose Atlanta’s Buckhead Theatre as the starting point for their North American tour, and from the first notes it was clear the band had no interest in easing in gently. The London group came out swinging, delivering a career-spanning set that showed exactly why fans continue to connect with their music.

Formed in 2010 and fronted by vocalist and guitarist Ellie Rowsell, Wolf Alice have built their reputation on a rare ability to blur lines between shoegaze, grunge, and dream-pop. Their 2021 album Blue Weekend earned them a Mercury Prize nomination and cemented their status as one of Britain’s strongest exports. Atlanta fans were eager to see what the band had in store, and the Buckhead Theatre was packed to capacity well before the house lights dimmed.

The show opened with “Thorns,” setting a moody tone before exploding into the raw urgency of “You’re a Lover” (YLW) and “How Can I Make It OK?” The energy in the room escalated with “Beautifully Unconventional” and “Just Two Girls,” two tracks that show off Wolf Alice’s knack for combining grit and melody. By the time Rowsell leaned into “Safe From Heartbreak (If You Never Fall in Love),” her voice floated over the crowd, delicate but commanding.

One of the highlights of the night was “White Horses,” a thunderous wall of sound that demonstrated the band’s tight chemistry. Rowsell, bassist Theo Ellis, drummer Joel Amey, their touring guitarist (John Victor), and a pianist who joined them onstage filled the room with confidence. While longtime guitarist Joff Oddie wasn’t present due to the pending birth of his first child, John Victor handled the parts with precision and the added piano textures gave songs extra depth, especially on the more atmospheric numbers.

“Smile” and “Formidable Cool” carried that momentum, the latter kicking in with its slinky groove and old-school intro that had the crowd moving in unison.

The middle of the set showcased Wolf Alice’s range. “Delicious Things” pulled the audience into its hypnotic storytelling, while “Bread Butter Tea Sugar” provided one of the night’s grittiest sing-along moments. Then came “Yuk Foo,” still one of their most aggressive and cathartic songs. The floor shook as fans shouted every line back at the stage, proving that even after years of playing it, the track hasn’t lost its bite.

The band shifted gears with “Silk,” lush and atmospheric, before snapping right back into full throttle with “Play the Greatest Hits” and the fan-favorite “Lisbon.” When “Giant Peach” arrived, the entire theater seemed to move with its stomping basslines and heavy guitars, a reminder of why that track has long been one of their live staples.

As the set built toward its closing stretch, the band leaned on some of their most emotionally charged material. “Safe in the World” and “Passenger Seat” quieted the room, showing their softer side, before “Bros” brought a wave of nostalgia and warmth. The crowd shouted every word of “Last Man on Earth,” a soaring anthem that has become one of their defining songs. “Sofa” followed, a deeper cut that longtime fans welcomed with open arms.

Wolf Alice weren’t done yet. They returned for a two-song encore, beginning with “Moaning Lisa Smile,” which reignited the energy in the room. Finally, “Don’t Delete the Kisses” closed the night, a perfect balance of intimacy and catharsis. As Rowsell sang its refrain, voices from the audience rose to meet hers, turning Buckhead Theatre into a communal choir.

For a first night of tour, Wolf Alice played with remarkable polish while still leaving space for spontaneity. Their setlist touched nearly every corner of their catalog, a deliberate choice that rewarded new fans and longtime followers alike. The crowd left buzzing, some still chanting the last lines of “Don’t Delete the Kisses” as they spilled out into the Atlanta night.

Wolf Alice have always thrived on tension between loud and quiet, beauty and fury, and their Buckhead Theatre performance proved that balance is what makes them one of the most vital live acts today. If the rest of their North American run matches this opening night, fans are in for something unforgettable