Following their Austin City Limits Weekend One festival performance and Saturday ACL Fest Nights aftershow at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater, ACL needed “CPR” after English indie-rock band Wet Leg’s charismatic performance at Weekend Two. On the last leg of their United States tour, which started in September, this weekend marks their third to last date, with the tour ending in Los Angeles.
The band originally from the Isle of Wight off the Southern coast of England, Wet Leg’s name comes from old island slang, used to describe mainlanders who would get their legs wet to cross the sea to get to the island. In the context of ACL, it meant sweat. The band performed during peak heat at 4:30 p.m.
In a shirt that read “Follow Me! I’m a cult leader,” frontwoman Rhian Teasdale flexed her muscles to the American Express stage audience as “catch these fists” played. Bringing out a chartreuse-tinted and translucent electric guitar, the band played “Wet Dream,” one of their most popular tracks.
Initially a duo that consisted of Teasdale and guitarist Hester Chambers, the pair now play with a full band, intensifying their sound to full-on rock. Teasdale whipped her long pink hair around and brought Wet Leg’s magnetic energy to the festival.
Their July release, moisturizer, proved a 360 degree turnaround from their debut self-titled album Wet Leg in 2022. Though not completely sonically different, Teasdale found her queer identity and fell in love with her partner, influencing her songwriting. Themes of love and confidence shone through in Wet Leg’s vibrant ACL performance. Teasdale proudly proclaimed her feelings, screaming, “I’m in love!” during “CPR.”
Wet Leg’s set included mostly songs from their new album, including “liquidize,” “pillow talk” and “u and me at home,” alongside hits from their debut album, such as “Chaise Lounge.”
“If you know it, sing it,” said Wet Leg’s bassist, Ellis Durand, before “u and me at home.” “Now is the time.”
After “pillow talk,” he pointed out a fan in the audience on someone’s shoulders, waving a t-shirt in the air, singing along.
In their ACL performance, Wet Leg put themselves at the top of the list for rock stardom. With Teasdale shaking her hips and throwing it down on the floor, their cool, rock-and-roll persona captivated Austin City Limits.
Their closer, “mangetout,” ended the show with an assertive rockstar attitude.
“Get lost forever,” Teasdale sang, looking straight at the crowd.
