If anyone wasn't convinced of Wolf Alice's cult star status, their roaring return to the LCR in Norwich will have put those doubts to bed.

Flying on the coat tails of their third album Blue Weekend, which has received rave reviews and debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, Wolf Alice took to the UEA stage with clear and intoxicating confidence.

Eastern Daily Press: Joff Oddie on guitar for Wolf Alice performing at the University of East Anglia's LCR in Norwich on the 26th of February 2022Joff Oddie on guitar for Wolf Alice performing at the University of East Anglia's LCR in Norwich on the 26th of February 2022 (Image: Archant)

The London-based band are no strangers to Norwich - they first played the LCR in 2016, then again in 2017. Now, in 2022, they have an evolved, mature, and playful stage presence.

After a fantastic set from support act Matt Maltese, who sent my heart rate through the roof by playing the start of the Succession theme tune completely out of the blue, Wolf Alice arrived.

Eastern Daily Press: Ellie Roswell, lead vocalist of Wolf Alice, performing at the University of East Anglia's LCR in Norwich on the 26th of February 2022Ellie Roswell, lead vocalist of Wolf Alice, performing at the University of East Anglia's LCR in Norwich on the 26th of February 2022 (Image: Archant)

The first few songs seemed to explode from them with a visceral energy. Opener 'Smile', leaning towards the rock side of their repertoire, elicited joyful screams from the audience, and for good reason. Wolf Alice's lyrics are made for shouting at the top of your lungs: "I ain't ashamed in the fact that I'm sensitive/I believe it is the perfect adjective."

Eastern Daily Press: Ellie Roswell, lead vocalist of Wolf Alice, performing at the University of East Anglia's LCR in Norwich on the 26th of February 2022Ellie Roswell, lead vocalist of Wolf Alice, performing at the University of East Anglia's LCR in Norwich on the 26th of February 2022 (Image: Archant)

Having never seen Wolf Alice before, I was intrigued as to how they would balance the tonal shifts from floaty, emotional, romantic ballads to loud, angry, rhythm-led songs. They handled it with skill- allowing the weight of lyrics to sit just long enough before launching into a different song. What neared a two hour performance felt much shorter.

Eastern Daily Press: Theo Ellis on bass for Wolf Alice, performing at the University of East Anglia's LCR in Norwich on the 26th of February 2022Theo Ellis on bass for Wolf Alice, performing at the University of East Anglia's LCR in Norwich on the 26th of February 2022 (Image: Archant)

One of the highlights, however, was 17 year old fan Lauren being hauled onto the stage after offering to to take over guitar from Ellie Rowsell for 'Moaning Lisa Smile'. Both the audiences and the band members were not expecting Lauren to shred as fantastically as she did. We all collectively basked, laughing and whooping, in our surprise and awe.

It is clear as day that Wolf Alice are performers by nature. Onstage, they have the charisma and personality of an already well-established classic rock band, who have somehow been picked up and plonked into the modern day. And what luck for us, the eager listeners, that they were.

Eastern Daily Press: Mercury-prize winning indie rock band Wolf Alice performing at the University of East Anglia's LCR in Norwich on the 26th of February 2022Mercury-prize winning indie rock band Wolf Alice performing at the University of East Anglia's LCR in Norwich on the 26th of February 2022 (Image: Archant)