Wunderhorse: Purple Patch

Wunderhorse are riding a tremendous amount of momentum at the moment. The band's second album sent them even higher than their brilliant debut 'Cub'. Venues got bigger, and so did their fan base. Following support slots with Sam Fender and Fontaines D.C., they received not only critical acclaim but were adopted by a whole new audience. 

Headline shows sold out months in advance, including a gig at Alexandra Palace in front of a 10,000-strong crowd. Their Glastonbury show at the Park Stage attracted a much larger crowd than that, though.

Playing for just under an hour, the band managed to meet the pre-show expectations with a set that showed the best of both albums, as well as a potential nod to the future with an airing of the latest single, 'The Rope'

Wunderhorse are a compelling watch, primarily due to their frontman Jacob Slater, who has a brilliant voice, is an underrated guitar player and has such a stage presence. He and the band play with the confidence that a band that's been operating for decades wish to have. 

The set was nearly an even split of 'Midas' and 'Cub', with the second album getting six songs from the twelve-song set, 'Cub' getting five, with the new single 'The Rope' also featuring. 'Purple' garnered one of the best sing-alongs of the weekend so far, and set up the second half of the band's set perfectly. 

That's not to say that the first half wasn't special, from the opening note of 'Midas' through to the hauntingly beautiful 'Butterflies' and the breakneck ferocity of 'Leader of the Pack', with the band effortlessly transitioning into the songs, updating intros, and extending outros. Live Wunderhorse are a different beast.

The second half upped the ante; 'The Rope', set off by green flares in the audience, feels like it's been around for years. The Glastonbury faithful sing every word. You wouldn't think it's the band's latest single. 'Teal' may just be one of the best songs of the decade, and again, live it becomes a whole lot more visceral and raw. The roar from the Glastonbury crowd, proclaiming from the opening chords, is something biblical. Wunderhorse are having a Glastonbury moment - notice I said "a" and not "the"-these boys will headline one day.

'Arizona' provides a respite, showcasing Jacob Slater, the songwriter. The lyrics of this song are among his most meaningful and beautiful. I recently read about the meaning of this song, and it's added a whole new sense of brilliance to it. Go and listen to the lyrics again. 

The whole performance is a special one. If Wunderhorse can continue in this form, we will need to stop calling it a 'Purple' patch. How does that Bill Shankly quote go, "Form is temporary, class is permanent."

Thank you for reading

Jack