“We’re so back,” Wet Leg posted on their Instagram just two weeks ago, along with a short clip of new music. After a two-year hiatus, the Isle of Wight band is back in action.

Wet Leg’s self-titled debut album, released in 2022, made a huge splash, winning Best Alternative Music Album and Best Alternative Music Performance for their breakout hit “Chaise Longue” at the Grammy Awards. They were also nominated for Best New Artist. The band is fronted by hometown friends Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chamber and also includes Ellis Durand, Josh Mobaraki, and Henry Holmes.

While they haven’t announced a full tour yet, they recently played a few secret shows in Brighton, UK, billed under the name “Uma Thurman” (Instagram caption: “the real Uma Thurman will not be in attendance”). The show was held at the intimate Green Door Store, where the band debuted several new songs from their upcoming album, moisturizer, which comes out on July 11th. Following the secret shows, Wet Leg announced two standalone gigs in the U.S., one in Brooklyn at the Market Hotel, and another at The River in Los Angeles.

The Monday night crowd at the Market Hotel was a mix of old and young, many sporting rain jackets from the earlier downpour. Mary in the Junkyard, the duo opener from England that describes themselves as “angry weepy chaos rock”, kicked things off with an electrifying set that included a very rock ‘n’ roll take on a viola solo. Lead singer Clari Freeman-Taylor, wearing a fur hat and knit collared shirt, joked, “We’re excited to play here because of the train,” a nod to the venue’s close proximity to the Myrtle Ave subway station, where the M and J trains passed by the window behind the stage throughout the night. “We have the tube, not the subway,” she added.

After the first set, which lasted about 30 minutes, the audience grew antsy for the main act of the night. Unfortunately, there was a 50-minute wait between sets. While the room filled, it also grew hotter, and people took off their jackets and wiped sweaty foreheads with their arms.

One fan chatted about seeing Wet Leg two years ago in a drastically different setting: Wet Leg had opened for Harry Styles at Madison Square Garden on his “Love on Tour.” In contrast, the Market Hotel is a small, gritty venue with standing-room-only, a bar in the corner, dusty windows, and a bathroom stocked with giant tubs of soap instead of dispensers. Yet, this was part of the appeal. Wet Leg’s punk-influenced sound (loud, sharp guitar riffs, and cheeky lyrics) was meant to be experienced in a place like the Market Hotel.

The show sold out within minutes of going on sale. Many fans turned to resale sites to get tickets. StubHub had few options, with prices starting at $425. Nearby, a man with a long beard spoke about the tickets he snagged for just $80 from a stranger on Reddit. “Last saw them at Mercury Lounge,” he said, excitedly telling his friends: “They’re really good live.”

When Wet Leg finally took the stage, they delivered a dynamic mix of old and new tracks, including their singles “Chaise Longue” and “Wet Dream.” Before playing their hits, they opened with a new single called “catch these fists.” The crowd was engaged, with fans singing along, shouting “What!” during the call-and-response of “Chaise Longue” and belting out “I’ve got Buffalo ’66 on DVD” during “Wet Dream.”

Teasdale commanded the stage with her strawberry blonde hair and magnetic presence, delivering powerful vocals with slow, deliberate movements. Meanwhile, Chamber, often facing the window exposing the subway, took on a quieter, more humble stage presence, her vocals equally captivating but in a more reserved manner.

The crowd was alive and at capacity. One attendee mentioned that this was the most packed she had ever seen the venue. Indeed, the floor shook as the crowd danced, with that vibrant energy carrying throughout the entire performance.

The band’s new single “Catch These Fists” was released on April 1 and can be listened to here. Their new album moisturizer and is set to be released on July 11 via Domino Records.

Whether they’re playing secret shows, stadiums, or standing room gigs, one thing’s for sure: Wet Leg is here to stay.

Photos via Will Oliver

Wet Leg – Market Hotel, Brooklyn – March 31, 2025

Setlist: Catch These Fists, Oh No, Wet Dream, Lovestruck, Too Late Now, Dave Nah, Dragonfart, Beans, Chaise Longue, Ur Mum, Angelica, C3PR