Dear Wet Leg,
I am writing from Cesena in Emilia Romagna. You may recognise the name because it was where you were due to play an outdoor show at the Rocca Malatestiana on Wednesday 16th July.
Two days ago, it was announced that this show has been cancelled. One report said this was for “logistical reasons”. This explanation was closely followed by news of an extra show at London’s Electric Ballroom on Thursday 17th July. I would therefore interpret these particular ‘logistics’ to mean that a London gig is more prestigious than playing a small city in Northern Italy.
Objectively speaking, the logic behind this is understable. The smart press will be out in force in Camden town and this will ensure more column inches relating how great you are and how brilliant the new record is. I will believe them. I congratulate you for navigating the ‘difficult’ second album so nimbly. The new songs are brilliant and I’m sorry I won’t be able to hear them played live.
As well as expressing my disappointment, I would like to humbly offer some advice. Your current status as Indie pop darlings is well deserved but I’m sure you are smart enough to know that any success can be short-lived. Music critics are fickle beasts who are always on the look out to justify their existence by discovering the next big thing. You are ‘it’ right now but may not be a few months down the line or when the even more difficult third album is released. It is when the initial buzz has died down that you will come to fully appreciate having a loyal fan-base who love your music not just because it’s trendy to do so. This kind of following doesn’t come just from big cities like New York, Milan, Paris or London but from smaller locations too. Even the Isle of Wight!
You may see cancelling the Cesena show as a good career move but many comments from fans I’ve read are talking about the lack of professionalism in making such a call. This is not a good look!
I would also add that you don’t know what you are missing. The Rocca is a spectacular venue and every artist I’ve seen there have been thrilled by its atmosphere and beauty. I’m thinking of all those who have played memorable concerts which includes Patti Smith, Kae Tempest , Johnny Marr, Laurie Anderson and Calexico. I’d venture that it’s a more enjoyable place to play than a sweaty club in North London.
Cesena is also full of passionate music lovers (they don’t just live in capital cities!) and this was demonstrated when they persuaded The Foo Fighters to play here by recruiting 1000 musicians to play Learn To Fly and recording a video that went viral in 2015.
Whatever. I’m not trying to pick a fight. I wish you every success with Moisturizer and sincerely hope that I get the chance to see you in concert one day.
With love and respect,
Martin
