By William Goltz
5/5
I don’t think anyone could have predicted that Wednesday’s first ever London show would be such an emotional affair. So proudly local and so proudly country, it always seemed a risk that London might not be the place for their dark tales of life and love in rural Appalachia. Sometimes, though, beautiful things don’t need to justify themselves and stories are sad and songs are beautiful. Wednesday didn’t have to do pretence. You don’t have to apologise for songs about God, dogs, and opioids if everyone ends up knowing the words. Lead singer Karly Hartzmann has the most evocative voice in indie rock today and her stories glide and burn over sweet and distorted guitars which make you wonder why more bands don’t have a pedal steel player. Playing the last date of their European tour, they were tight but full of the recklessness that came with knowing they wouldn’t have to play again the next night. Every song caught and held the crowd but I suppose it’s in the nature of a review to give one triumph. Listen to ‘Bull Believer’ if you want to feel something fully.
