Wunderhorse at the People Watching Tour
When I first saw ‘Wunderhorse’ open for Sam Fender at Castlefield Bowl in 2022, I was immediately captivated by frontman Jacob Slater’s raw, untamed energy. There was a magnetisim in the way he belted out every lyric with a kind of reckless honesty, like he was pouring his entire soul into each note. Fast forward to the 3rd of December, and the memory of that performance had be scrambling for last minute Sam Fender tickets so I could experience it all once again.
‘Wunderhorse’ aren’t just an opener - they’re the kind of band that turns the night into a double feature, delivering a performance so energetic that it feels like its own headline act. Even from our very distant nosebleed seats, where the band were little more than specks on the stage, their presence was undeniable. From the first note, they seized the spotlight and held it with a command that only a few of the opening acts I’ve ever witnessed could match.
They kicked off with the title track of their second album ‘Midas’, with a heavy, distorted guitar riff that immediately pulls you into its grungy, 90’s inspired sound. Loud and relentless, it’s the kind of track that would have felt right at home on a Nirvana album. They also added classics from their debut album ‘Cub’. When the strobe lights faded to purple, I found it hard to contain my excitement. Having missed ‘Purple’ off the setlist the first-time round, finally hearing it live was a long-awaited payoff, and Slater’s vocals did not disappoint. Delivered with raspy urgency, hit with even more power in person, I was truly lost within the extended rendition of the song.
Then came the crowd favourite ‘Teal’. As soon as the infectious riff began, the energy in the room shifted - where new listeners transformed to new fans, where the Shazamers pressed add to their Spotify playlist, and where people like me realised, they could actually scream all of the lyrics to maximum intensity. With its deeply emotional lyrics and catchy melody, Teal is the kind of song that will only get better with time, as I’m sure the people at the font of the crowd in a collective frenzy would agree.
By the end of their set, even my £9 pint of lager felt justified. The energy they bring whilst performing live is palpable – every song feels like a punch to the gut, but in the best way possible. It’s this kind of raw, implacable passion that makes ‘Wunderhorse’ one of the most exciting new rock bands around today, and I can’t wait to see where their music takes them next.