For a duo who initially embraced online anonymity, Brockley-based Oh Wonder must have surprised themselves with the relentless touring over the two years leading up to their biggest homecoming show.
“I cannot tell you how hyped and excited and so overwhelmed we are to be here playing at Brixton Academy,” gushed Josephine Vander Gucht.
The south London welcome seemed to raise their game, which was just as well following the supercharged set from support act Sigrid, a star in the making.
With Vander Gucht and fellow vocalist Anthony West both standing, sometimes dancing, behind keyboards, the pair had a curious stage dynamic — but it worked for them.
As well as bolstering the shimmering melodies with a drummer and bassist, Oh Wonder have spent some serious money on lighting, including a giant, flickering OW.
Although West sometimes attacked his guitar like a man frustrated at the demise of his old rock band, there was no mistaking the girl-boy chemistry as their voices intertwined on the captivating chorus of Lifetimes.
High On Humans and Heavy, also from current album Ultralife, were models of sleek pop production, yet audience affection was really reserved for songs from the debut. Landslide, a more uplifting tune than its title suggests, prompted the first of several singalongs.
While Oh Wonder’s carefully crafted pop may be too classy for the singles chart, it’s perfect for the screen — the hushed, haunting All We Do was familiar as the theme to ITV crime drama Unforgotten.
Playing 200 gigs in two years has made them a formidable live act: intimate songs on record were transformed into affecting anthems as Vander Gucht left her keyboard to stalk the stage. West was bullish enough to declare it their finest show so far, though you suspect Oh Wonder are only going to get bigger and better.
