By the very nature of their name, Wolf Alice has always been a band of two halves.
As frontwoman Ellie Rowsell recently noted during their Saturday Night Live UK appearance, the moniker perfectly matches their “vibe” – and since the release of their 70s-leaning fourth album The Clearing last year, that vibe has drifted steadily away from the ferociousness of their early work.
On Sunday night, it was their more tender, vulnerable side that took center stage as the band brought the 2026 Teenage Cancer Trust concert series to an emotionally charged close at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Before the band took to the stage, the tone was set by the incredibly moving stories of the brave teenagers affected by cancer. Verity, diagnosed with an incurable cancer condition, gave a powerful speech about the great work the charity does.
In a standout moment of the night, Verity asked the entire Royal Albert Hall to sing her a happy birthday, before the group of teens paused to take an epic selfie with the audience, who lit up the historic hall with a sea of smartphone lights. By the time Wolf Alice arrived, it felt as though there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
After urging everyone to donate with a special message, the band excitedly kicked things off with one of the biggest surprises of the night. Die-hard fans were left practically giddy as they dusted off “Heavenward” for the first time since 2019, before settling into the thumping rhythm of “White Horses.” The surprises continued with the first performance of “Swallowtail” since 2016 and an unreleased track titled “Gospel Oak.”
© PA Images via Getty ImagesNoticeably absent were the band’s more aggressive anthems; the visceral bite of “Smile,” “Giant Peach,” and “Yuk Foo” was traded for a setlist that felt curated for the room’s delicate atmosphere.
Instead, the shimmering “Midnight Song” soared toward the nosebleeds, and “How Can I Make It OK” served as a reminder of the band’s gift for a massive, heart-on-sleeve chorus.
Closing the night with the triple-threat of “Bloom Baby Bloom,” “The Last Man on Earth,” and their signature masterpiece “Don’t Delete the Kisses,” the band provided the perfect, heartwarming crescendo to an unforgettable night for a vital cause.
The Teenage Cancer Trust gigs ran from March 23-29, featuring headliners selected by The Cure frontman Robert Smith, including the Manic Street Preachers, my bloody valentine and Wolf Alice.
Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to providing specialised nursing care and support for young people with cancer, funding specialist nurses, youth workers and 28 hospital units within the NHS.
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