The Wonder Stuff Bring 40 Years of Indie Anthems to The Halls, Wolverhampton
The Halls, Wolverhampton – 30th October 2026
WORDS / IMAGES SAM HOLT
The Wonder Stuff – 40th Anniversary Tour
Few bands enjoy the longevity of The Wonder Stuff, formed back in 1986 in Stourbridge, West Midlands. Although there was a brief respite along the way, they return to their home turf tonight as part of their 40th anniversary tour. Joining them are Oldham's finest, Inspiral Carpets. All in all, it's a trip into the past, reliving those indie days.
Opening tonight, Inspiral Carpets take to a darkened stage to deliver a strong 60-minute set, including plenty of fan favourites. I've always thought Clint Boon's keyboards are central to the band's psychedelic feel, but after the spotlight falls on touring drummer Kev Clark's powerful solo towards the end of 'She Comes In The Fall', I think he's a great addition to the band.
While new music is teased, much of the set comes from their extensive back catalogue. They deliver a great version of 'Joe', but it's 'Dragging Me Down' and 'This Is How It Feels' that really get the audience involved. There's plenty of singing, dancing and people completely immersed in the music. Closing with 'Saturn', vocalist Stephen Holt encourages the audience to take the roof off. Unfortunately, the crowd are perhaps a little too eager, finishing the song before the main man gets the chance to bring it home. Either way, Inspiral Carpets prove to be a fantastic support act, leaving the crowd warmed up and ready for tonight's headliners.
Taking the stage at 9.15 pm, The Wonder Stuff launch into a carefully curated set. According to vocalist Miles Hunt, the band have put considerable thought into tonight's song selection. They kick things off with several tracks from their debut album, Never Loved Elvis, including 'Donation', with Miles adding a megaphone for effect. He then comments about missing the groove, a nod to their second album, The Eight Legged Groove Machine, before launching into 'A Wish Away'.
It soon becomes clear that tonight, The Wonder Stuff are very much in their own territory, and the fans are right there with them. These are people who have followed the band for many years. It also strikes me just how much of the second album still resonates with the audience, who are singing, dancing and revelling in the music. While there's plenty of joking about how much of tonight's music belongs to the last century, they also include a track from the forthcoming 21st-anniversary reissue of HUP, the album that took the band in a more country-influenced direction. As they move into material from that record, it's obvious the crowd love it.
Joking about credibility and how it doesn't pay the bills, the band launch into 'Size Of A Cow', their attempt at a pop song, and one that still receives regular airplay today. It's a great song, but there's clearly much more to The Wonder Stuff than that.
Recalling a tale of being called 'London' by fellow local musician Richard March of Pop Will Eat Itself, Hunt explains how the incident provided the inspiration for 'Caught In My Shadow'.
For me, it's the final stretch of the set that has the biggest impact. Those around me are equally caught up in the songs, particularly 'Red Berry Joy Town' and 'Golden Green'. But the very best is saved for last: 'Give, Give, Give Me More, More, More', a song written 39 years ago in Stourbridge, as we're reminded. By this point, the crowd are ecstatic, and they're left singing the main refrain long after the band have left the stage.
They don't have to wait too long before the band return for a four-song encore, part of which is dedicated to a former member of the band.
Tonight, two impressive bands have played to a packed venue. The crowd are clearly of an age where they can recall both bands in their formative years, shall we say.
While The Wonder Stuff once tried to take on the Manchester scene with 'Circle Square', as they put it, they really didn't need to. They have a style entirely their own. It's not the easiest to summarise, but it's great feel-good, singalong music that crosses several genres. Inspiral Carpets, with their more indie-rock approach, complement them extremely well, making for a fantastic night of music.
And that's something I think we can all agree we need in such troubled times. For four hours, I was transported back in time to a fabulous night of music. Indie or not, does it really matter?
SETLIST
Mission Drive
Play
Donation
In Clover
Don't Let Me Down, Gently
A Wish Away
Here Comes Everyone
Circlesquare
Caught in My Shadow
The Size of a Cow
The Guy With the Gift
Sleep Alone
Don't Anyone Dare Give a Damn
Red Berry Joy Town
On the Ropes
Golden Green
Unbearable
Give, Give, Give Me More, More, More
ENCORE
It's Yer Money I'm After, Baby
Can't Shape Up
(Dedicated to Rob Jones AKA 'The Bass Thing')
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Ten Trenches Deep
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