By Katie Isham.
As a Welly newcomer, I was excited to experience the fun and frolics live at their Vinilo Instore on Tuesday (25/3/25) teatime. As a woman of a certain age, I was also excited to be out on a school night, and even more excited by the promise to be home by half past eight. As the youthful band tells me in Deere John, “you’re too old for night life!”
But stepping into Vinilo, it’s clear that Welly appeal to everyone. People of all ages were milling about with an air of excited anticipation. One Welly-watcher told me they brought her so much joy seeing them live before that she left with face-ache. As one of my mantras is to search for the light in life, I knew I was in the right place.
Welly arrived and singer Elliot apologised for having laryngitis, but he didn’t need to worry; he’s amongst friends. The anthemic Shopping began proceedings and the crowd were nodding along and helping out in the choruses. The magic of Welly is the delightfully droll social commentary dispensed thick and fast disguised as pithy rhymes wrapped in complete pop bops. My face did indeed ache by the end of the first song.
Although only Elliot, Hanna and Joe were present, we were treated to a video appearance by bassist Jacob as his dad (clad in top-notch Welly merch) called him. The sweet inter-band banter continued and even expanded to include us in the fun: what is your favourite motorway?
But then we were back to the bangers. Dreamy sing-along Life is a Motorway gave way to veering dangerously towards a Wonderwall diversion. Then time for a pit stop to greet Elliot’s mum before we screeched into the finale of Soak up the Culture. By the time the chaotic, chanting chorus had finished, we were all having so much fun we’d be willing to stretch the Tuesday teatime curfew.
The music was over but the evening was not. The band were delighted to greet all at the signing and as the staff at Vinilo remembered Elliot as the customer they couldn’t stop from talking, maybe he’s still there now discussing motorway service stations with anyone who’ll listen.
Welly deliver clever observations on the drama of the mundane through the most face-achingly happy songs. Everyone needs this in their lives. This may have been my first Welly-watch, but it won’t be my last.
Welly were in Southampton to promote their new album, Big in the Suburbs. Read a review here.
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