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Wolf Alice Discusses New Album ‘The Clearing’ at Glastonbury 2025: “A Moment of Peace”

Wolf Alice Discusses New Album ‘The Clearing’ at Glastonbury 2025: “A Moment of Peace”

Valeriy Bagrintsev Valeriy Bagrintsev
6 minute read

Wolf Alice Discusses New Album ‘The Clearing’ at Glastonbury 2025: “A Moment of Peace”

Experience the serene vibe of Wolf Alice’s latest album ‘The Clearing,’ as they share insights from Glastonbury 2025 about their evolving sound and reflections on their decade-long journey.

Wolf Alice’s Glastonbury 2025 Performance and New Album Highlights

Wolf Alice's Joff Oddie live at Glastonbury 2025, photo by Andy Ford

Wolf Alice brought their electrifying energy to Glastonbury 2025, playing second from the top on the Other Stage, right before The Prodigy. This was their most significant Glastonbury set to date, following a challenging mid-afternoon Pyramid Stage performance in 2022 that almost didn't happen due to flight issues. The band returned with fresh material from their upcoming album The Clearing, sharing candid stories backstage about their journey and creative process.

The Stressful Journey to Glastonbury 2022

Guitarist Joff Oddie vividly recalls the chaos before their 2022 Glastonbury show:

“That was the worst 48 hours ever. We missed a flight – or they cancelled a flight going from LA. We were supporting Halsey at the Hollywood Bowl and then stuck in the airport. It was just on a complete knife-edge the whole time. We landed with maybe three hours until the stage and were quickly escorted onsite. The playing was amazing, but god, the stress!”

Drummer Joel Amey added a humorous note about the supposed police escort:

“They promised us a police escort and when we got here, it was literally four lads. Four lads all in bucket hats and high vises on quad bikes.”

Reflecting on the New Music Experience

Wolf Alice's Joff Oddie live at Glastonbury 2025, photo by Andy Ford

Joel Amey shared how this year’s Glastonbury felt more relaxed and different from previous experiences:

“This is the second time I’ve done Glastonbury without drinking, and honestly, it’s not as overwhelming as I remember. I got around easy-peasy, and it’s been great and chilled. Earlier years, it was a struggle to get from stage to stage.”

The band has been road-testing new songs like “Thorns,” “The Sofa,” and “Bloom Baby Bloom” at smaller gigs and festivals across Europe, which Amey says has been “really great.” He noted that introducing new songs breathes fresh life into their older tracks, giving their set a renewed energy and keeping their performances evolving.

The Clearing: A New Chapter Influenced by Songwriting Growth

Wolf Alice live at Glastonbury 2025, photo by Andy Ford

Oddie explained how their previous album Blue Weekend and the success of songs like “Delicious Things” influenced the direction of The Clearing:

“We were buoyed by the songier tracks that really connected with people. So, we spent more time working on those parts — the concise, catchy segments of the songs. Writing a really tight song within a kind of pop structure is incredibly hard. You can throw a five-minute jam together easily, but crafting a perfect song is a brilliant challenge, and that’s where our focus was this time.”

Personal Stories Behind ‘White Horses’

Joel Amey penned a standout track on the album called “White Horses.” When asked about the story behind it, Amey revealed:

“It’s about my family and my history. We had mostly finished The Clearing, and I was inspired by what the others were doing, with acoustic guitars and harmonies. But I wanted to create something with a bit more momentum, something with a dance-like propulsion—not actual dance music, but a hybrid. ‘White Horses’ became a moment of reflection on where I’ve come from and where I might go, without trying to answer those questions.”

10 Years of ‘My Love Is Cool’: Looking Back

This year marked a decade since Wolf Alice’s debut album My Love Is Cool. Amey joked about the nostalgia:

“And we were here with you! Do you want to make us feel old?!”

Oddie admitted that his memories of the release are a bit fuzzy but fond:

“Memories? Not a lot! It was so much fun, though.”

Amey recalled a memorable moment on tour:

“I remember driving to Glastonbury in our tour manager Johnny Haskett’s beat-up people carrier, eating Magnum ice creams. We were Number One in the mid-week charts at the time. Everyone on site was buzzing! Then we woke up Sunday and we’d dropped to Number Two, and suddenly everyone chilled out. Before, it was, ‘Pint? Pint?’ After, it was, ‘No.’”

Wolf Alice’s Glastonbury 2025 Set Earns Rave Reviews

Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell live at Glastonbury 2025, photo by Andy Ford

Their Glastonbury set received high praise for its energy, passion, and emotional depth. A standout moment was the closing song “Don’t Delete The Kisses,” hailed as one of the best love songs ever written, delivering a romantic Hollywood ending vibe both on stage and to the festival crowd.

A Festival Filled With Star Power

Alongside Wolf Alice, Glastonbury 2025 featured headliners like The 1975, who teased a new era, Neil Young, and Olivia Rodrigo. Rodrigo shared the stage with The Cure’s Robert Smith for a special duet. Secret sets included Lorde performing her album Virgin in full, Lewis Capaldi, and Haim celebrating their new record I Quit. Pulp was revealed as the mystery band behind the pseudonym Patchwork.

Stay Tuned For More from Glastonbury 2025

Keep an eye out for the latest interviews, performances, and exclusive moments from Glastonbury 2025 as the festival unfolds.

Conclusion

Wolf Alice’s new album The Clearing promises a fresh, introspective sound filled with moments of peace amidst reflection. Are you ready to experience this evolution live at future shows or through their recorded works?

FAQs

  • What is the theme of Wolf Alice’s new album, The Clearing?
    The album conveys moments of peace and reflection, with songs blending intimacy and renewed energy.
  • How has Wolf Alice’s live performance evolved recently?
    The band mixes new songs with classics, allowing fresh tracks to breathe new life into their setlist, making performances feel renewed and dynamic.
  • What inspired the song “White Horses”?
    Joel Amey wrote it about family, personal history, and the idea of moving forward while reflecting on the past.
  • How did the band feel about their 2022 Glastonbury experience?
    It was stressful due to travel delays, but they managed to perform successfully and learned from the experience.
  • What anniversary did Wolf Alice celebrate recently?
    The band marked the 10th anniversary of their debut album My Love Is Cool during Glastonbury 2025.

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