Review of Remi Wolf at the Barrowlands
The Barrowlands Ballroom is a long-time favourite venue of Glasgow concert goers. Everything is general admission, the decor from the neon sign to the disco ball is akin to a 1980’s roller rink, and if you’re attending a show there, there’s a high likelihood you have dabbled in the rising indie aesthetic that is infecting the 2020’s. All of these things collectively set the tonality for a Remi Wolf headline show. A safe haven for connoisseurs of baggy jeans, and trendy unconventional style, there was no escaping the bright yellow aura that had enveloped the surrounding space, and there is no conceivable reason one would want to.
Unlike the typical gig experiences at an all standing venue, people seemed to come and go as they pleased, stopping for drinks, and appreciating the dulcet sounds of the opening act, Maddie Jay, who was also a member of Remi’s band following her own performance. The lighthearted, fun, and go-with-the flow nature was a testament to the genre and tonality of music that was in store for the rest of the evening.
Immersed in a multicolored ensemble accentuated with bandanas, cargo pants, and curly locks flying free, Remi Wolf’s opening track, Cherries & Cream, made it clear to those watching that the next two hours, while indisputably focused on maintaining the ‘vibe,’ would also present energy, an emphasis on loudly and proudly expressing sexuality, and a groove that has been long missing from Scotland’s music scene.
Cinderella, the most streamed song from the artist’s 2024 album, Big Ideas, immediately kicked things into high gear. The stage flashed in varying hues of pink, purple, and yellow, as Remi engaged the crowd encouraging everyone to sway from left to right just as the song mandated, incorporating high kicks into her routine when the cymbal sounded, and getting to the very edge of the barricade to interact with those in the front rows.
The capabilities of her full vocal range were on display during Alone in Miami, offering belts in a slower fashion that acted in stark contrast to the drum solo just minutes prior. In succession, came a rendition of Sexy Villain, punctuated by its undertones of bossa nova, it was a notable crowd pleaser from her 2021 album, Juno.
It was impossible to imagine a reality in which someone could exist in that space and time, and not be subconsciously compelled to find one’s ‘inner groove’. Despite the fact that this demographic of music lovers would not be someone’s first choice for those capable of keeping the party going, everyone – from the back of the large mass of bodies occupying the floor, to those at the barricade- was moving.
As the concert came to a close, the band broke into a small choreographed dance routine for the performance of Toro, which seemed to be a fan favourite amongst avid followers as they erupted in applause. However, this was nothing in comparison to the uptick in energy when Remi closed the show with Photo ID, which received the most audience participation in terms of singing along. Fans threw items such as knitted hats on stage, and began jumping around to the final song of the night filled with just as much glee as when the event had started.
The experience of attending a Remi Wolf concert is so unique and uplifting that it would be a crime to dissuade anyone from this genuinely good time. Whether one is a die hard fan or merely familiar with her discography, the atmosphere alone is worth the night out. As Remi Wolf continues to grow as an artist, one would hope that this lighthearted aura will begin to grow and infect the rest of the music community as well.
