Remi Wolf at Brixton Academy, 5/12/24

2024 was Remi Wolf's year, and this was the gig to prove it – bringing a chaotic blast of perfect funk pop to London

“I need you dumb,” Remi Wolf told the crowd at London’s O2 Brixton Academy. “I need you silly. I don’t care if your partner dumped you, we’re leaving all our bullshit at the door. I’m giving you permission to have the best night of your life.” She had the funk-driven hits to soundtrack the jubilant, if slightly hectic, celebration as well.

Remi Wolf has been a force for positive chaos since 2020’s ‘Photo ID’ went viral. This year has been a huge step-up for the Californian musician though. As well as releasing her playful, party starting second album Big Idea, she also opened for Olivia Rodrigo on her massive Guts world tour. This summer, Wolf sold out the 1,500 capacity Brixton Electric. Six months later and she’s at the much grander Brixton Academy with 5,000 very excited fans.

Remi Wolf high-kicking on stage at Brixton Academy

Like Rodrigo, Wolf is all about urgent, heartfelt music that twists the uncomfortable into something powerful. The explosive ‘Alone In Miami’ was written about the “slightly demonic” period in her life that followed touring first album, Juno, ‘Waves’ captures the constant anxiety of being in a long-distance relationship. And her track ‘Toro’ – “It’s about a big dick,” she beamed, just before her and her five-piece band delivered flawless choreography and a euphoric, 80s-inspired breakdown.

From the woozy opening of ‘Cherries & Cream’ through chirpy singalong anthem ‘Cinderella’ to the high-kicking, self-deprecation banger ‘Pitiful’, Wolf was all about the feel-good. Early on, she led the crowd in warm-ups for both voice and body and throughout the night, she set out to create a space that encouraged them to feel “free and safe”.

Remi Wolf bends backwards while singing on stage at Brixton Academy

“We were here for soundcheck, playing to an empty room, and I was bored as f*ck,” she explained. “The only thing that makes this thing exciting for me is you. I want to combine our energies and complete this symbiotic cycle of community and grace.”

The ferocious indie attack of ‘Kangaroo’ saw Wolf jump behind the drum kit, lead a wonderfully snotty rock & roll breakdown and return to her role as ringmaster, all without missing a beat. A jazzy reimaging of ‘Sexy Villain’ was just as slick, while the snarling 90s alt-rock of ‘Michael’ was made for huge rooms like Brixton.

Trying to make each night feel as exciting as possible, Wolf improvised an entire song after taking suggestions from the audience. The London crowd took this task a bit more seriously than other stops on the tour (‘Dinosaur Cum Cats’ was created in Bristol, ‘Bitchy Scotland Wanker’ in Glasgow) and the entire room was soon singing the chorus to ‘Rosy Woody Capricorn’, despite only just hearing it.

There was a moment of sincerity when Wolf thanked the crowd for allowing her to express herself (“you guys are the only reason I’m up on this stage”) but that was quickly followed by a boisterous three-song run of ‘Disco Man’, ‘Soup’ and ‘Photo ID’ to close out the jubilant night.

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