Wolf Alice started as a small duo in London in 2010, with Ellie Rowsell and Joff Oddie. Two years later, bassist Theo Ellis and drummer Joel Amey joined, and the band has since grown into something loud, powerful, and at times intimate.

Wolf Alice photo at Annexet Stockholm Sweden November 5 photo by Anastasia Baranovskaia[/caption]This November show at Annexet in Stockholm marked the start of their European tour, which you could also spot on their Instagram page, with a message in Swedish and a picture of the all-so-famous Kalles Kaviar – a Swedish delicacy for some, though a bit strange-tasting for many.

I haven’t listened to a ton of Wolf Alice before, but I remember seeing their Glastonbury 2025 performance online. What stood out most was Ellie’s voice – fierce yet gentle, switching between the two easily and instantly. Live, that presence hits even harder. She also moves across the stage like she belongs there, easily and naturally.

The backdrop was a glittering curtain, also forming a star. The curtain shifted colors during the concert with the lighting design. When hues turned blue and green, it created a rain-like vibe, dreamy and immersive, like something from teamLab Borderless in Tokyo. A disco ball on the roof also added cool effects during certain songs.

It’s hard to pin down Wolf Alice to one genre, and that’s part of their charm. They’re often called alternative rock, but some songs lean punk, others are dreamy. Maybe it doesn’t need a label – it just works for what it is.

Early in the set, “White Horses” showed how the band functions as a unit, with Ellie and Joel’s vocals blending seamlessly. Later, “Safe From Heartbreak (If You Never Fall in Love)” slowed everything down, with harmonies from Ellie, Ryan Malcolm (keys), and Joel Amey blending effortlessly.

But Wolf Alice isn’t all softness. “Yuk Foo” hit like a surge of adrenaline – Ellie grabbed a megaphone, and the lights flashed red, white, and blue. “Giant Peach” followed with full-force energy: heavy bass, pounding drums, sharp vocals, and guitar. They mentioned it was for longtime fans, but also for the newer ones.

For the encore, they closed with “Last Man On Earth” and “Don’t Delete the Kisses,” and it was one of those endings where nobody wants to go home.

Wolf Alice is hard to compare to anyone else. They have their own sound and world. In a time when so much music feels the same, it was refreshing to hear something that stands out. Even though they have already released an album this year, I’m excited to see what comes next for them.

Live Review: Wolf Alice at Annexet Stockholm Sweden November 5 2025. With words and photography by Anastasia Baranovskaia

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