The Waeve at Village Undergound

The Waeve is a band with an incomparable history; when Graham Coxon and Rose Elinor Dougall began writing together in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, something magical bloomed amongst the universal struggle of the time. The two bore their souls to one another through their passion for music, and the outcome was not only a strong romance, but also two studio records. Their sophomore album, City Lights, was released in September, and rather than writing of their experiences apart like they did in their debut, they dove headfirst into their lives as a team. In honour of City Lights, the duo took to Village Underground in Shoreditch to display their talents and adoration for the music they have created together.

The ambience of Village Underground is exceptional for a band like The Waeve: fans are forced to get up close and personal in this intimate venue, and the rugged brick walls allow for the instrumentals to boom from all sides. The crowd’s constant cheering, hollering and whistling echoed in anticipation of The Waeve’s set, and the close proximity heightened the energy. 

Broken Boys exploded upon the scene and transitioned into City Lights, which went off without a hitch. Coxon and Dougall’s voices blend wonderfully and the live saxophone adds an eclectic sound that breeds an entirely different feeling compared to the studio version. Coxon’s affinity for brass is not lost at any point throughout the show; although it stands out in most tracks, it acts as an extra, beloved layer that attracts every ear in the room. Kill Me Again is an excellent representation of this where although it may seem like the star aspect of the track, it does not overtake the rest of the band’s contributions.

Dougall is a fan of her fans; not only does she thank everyone involved in the band’s success after every tune, but she puts The Waeve’s biggest supporters in the spotlight. Right before the delicate and sombre Over and Over, Dougall pointed out two girls in the front row who had been waiting outside of Village Underground since 8am; that dedication certainly shows as those closest to the front continued to display their adoration through the night.

Song for Eliza May, however, shines above all else; as a standout on City Lights, it sounds even more touching live as Dougall’s vocals are heartfelt and raw. Of course, Coxon’s newfound love for the mandolin certainly adds a unique flair in a live setting, and the combination of more rock-leaning aspects, like the electrifying guitar solo, takes the crowd on a ride that displays all of The Waeve’s abilities. The encore, however, ties up each moment within the gig neatly to the audience’s delight: Can I Call You and Sunrise find themselves to be the final bang that incorporates the voices of their debut and City Lights to be one story melded together.

Overall, The Waeve allows for the instruments to speak for themselves: whether it be the enticing saxophone, Coxon and Dougall’s robust vocals, the pounding drums, or the rich guitar solos, this performance depicts their love of all of the aspects of what they create. The Waeve puts on a fun, yet structured show made for audiophiles who enjoy feeling instrumentals more than anything. With a major focus on the elements that make The Waeve who they are, their appearance at Village Underground has solidified what the duo is all about: a love for music, camaraderie and their listeners.

Taryn Crowley
Photos: Nick Bennett

For further information and future events visit The Waeve’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Song for Eliza May here: