LIVE REVIEW: Wet Leg, English Teacher, Castlefield Bowl, Manchester, 08/07/2026
Photo Credit: Alice Backham
Wet Leg hail from the Isle of Wight and are relative newcomers to the music scene – having formed in 2019. Nonetheless, the band which is fronted by Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, are making a name for themselves having already supported some huge acts. Not least, Harry Styles and the Foo Fighters. Tonight on a scorching summer’s day, Wet Leg play Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl.
Our arrival was just in time to catch one of the two supporting bands this evening, English Teacher. The Leeds four-piece have been gaining traction with their blend of post punk indie, so much so they scooped the coveted Mercury Music Prize in 2024 for their debut album This Could Be Texas.
Tonight is an excellent opportunity to showcase their talent in abundance and build on the fan base they have already amassed. With the crowd in good spirits at this outdoor venue, revelling in the heat and enjoying a beer, English Teacher are channelling the positive energy from the audience tonight. Vocalist Lily Fontaine encourages the crowd to clap along with her arms aloft.
It is clear this evening why English Teacher have gained so much traction in recent months with exceptional crowd interaction throughout the performance this evening. Tracks from English Teacher’s 2024 album This Could Be Texas are well received – I’m Not Crying You’re Crying and Nearly Daffodils being popular amongst the lively crowd tonight.
English Teacher have proven they can entertain and command a large crowd at Castlefield Bowl tonight. An assured and confident performance was witnessed in Manchester tonight, which I’m sure has gained English Teacher a few fans along the way. 6/10. Stand out tracks: Not Crying You’re Crying, Nearly Daffodils, This Could Be Texas.
During the wait for the headliner Wet Leg this evening, the alcohol continues to flow and the audience begins to loosen up anticipating the arrival of Wet Leg. They begin with Catch These Fists. This inevitably triggers a mass sing-along as the audience bounce around to the indie pop grooves from the female-fronted group.
It is obvious why Wet Leg have gained popularity over recent years, due to their energetic performance and lyrical content. An example being, You’re so woke, Diet Coke demonstrated on the track Oh No,. Before launching into the ever popular track Wet Dream, lead vocalist Rhian Teasdale speaks to the sun drenched Manchester crowd. “Manchester, how’s it going?”. Needless to say the crowd response was in the form of an almighty cheer.
As the set thunders on at an electrifying pace this evening, the only observation would be the slower numbers performed provoke less of a reaction from the audience here in Manchester. Teasdale continues to bounce around the stage with the enthusiasm that have made the band so popular over recent years. All while not missing a vocal note much to the delight of the crowd who have enjoyed every moment so far.
During the rendition of Your Mum, Teasdale instructs the crowd to scream as loud as they can during a stoppage. An almighty wail from the entire audience, men included, reverberates around the open air venue. Possibly one of the funniest things we have experienced at a concert for a while!
Performances of Angela, Chaise Long and Your Mum stand out tonight. Wet Leg at Castlefield Bowl this evening is one of the most enjoyable, carefree, fun and uplifting shows we’ve experienced in a long time.
A band on the rise who have enormous amounts of fun whilst doing so. With their biggest performance yet, there is definitely more to come from Wet Leg in the future. 8/10. Stand out tracks: Catch These Fists, Angelica, Chaise Long, Mange tout.
Written by: Ben Gilligan
