Wunderhorse at Le Belmont: A Rare and Intimate Night with a Band Destined for Bigger Stages

There’s something uniquely special about seeing a band on the rise in a venue that barely holds a few hundred people, especially when that band is Wunderhorse, — a UK-based rock band that’s quickly gained a reputation for their powerful blend of raw emotion, intricate melodies, and explosive energy. Taking the stage at ‘Le Belmont’ on January 28th, 2025,  frontman Jacob Slater and his bandmates unleashed a performance that was as raw as it was refined and captivating from start to finish. 

The UK quintet enters the stage without any posturing, dramatic entrance, or even a nod to the audience while Neil Young's "Down By The River" plays through the house speakers.  However, as soon as they start playing "Midas," it becomes clear that this band will make an inevitable leap to bigger venues. 

Opening with "Midas," the band instantly set the tone for the night. Slater’s vocals carried a gripping mix of intensity and vulnerability, weaving seamlessly with the band’s sharp,  emotive guitar work. The music shifted between delicate melodies and roaring riffs, keeping the audience swaying one moment and thrashing the next. 

One of the standout moments was "Purple," a track that perfectly showcases  Wunderhorse’s ability to balance introspection with raw power. Live, it took on a new urgency— Slater’s voice stretched to its emotional limits, while the band locked into a hypnotic groove that had fans hanging onto every word. "Cathedrals" and "Teal" were equally mesmerizing,  highlighting the band’s effortless transitions between brooding atmospheres and full-throttle rock. 

Perhaps the most unforgettable moment came during "Aeroplane," when the band stripped everything back, leaving Slater’s lyrics and delivery to take center stage. In a packed yet silent room, his voice carried a weight that was impossible to ignore. It was the kind of moment that reminds you why live music matters—pure, raw, and deeply felt. 

As the night ended with "July", the energy in the room reached its peak. The band held nothing back, pushing the song to its absolute limits. Slater’s vocals teetered between control and complete abandon, his voice raw with emotion, while the guitars crashed in waves of distortion.  The small venue amplified every note, making it feel like the walls themselves were pulsing with sound. 

For a group travelling from across the Atlantic, playing in such a small room so far from home only added to the night’s magic. This wasn’t just another stop on the tour—it was a shared moment, a connection between band and audience that felt immediate and deeply personal. From the second they walked on stage, it was clear they weren’t phoning it in. Every note, every lyric,  every glance between bandmates carried an energy that thrived off the closeness of the crowd. 

Every so often, you catch a band at the perfect moment—right before they break through to the next level. They’re too big for the space they’re playing, but they still perform with the kind of drive that says they’ve got something to prove. There’s no need for gimmicks or grand gestures; it’s all about the raw power of the performance, a band giving everything to connect with the crowd. That’s exactly what Wunderhorse delivered—pure, unfiltered energy that left everyone in the room feeling like they’d seen something unforgettable. The studio recordings are just a taste—live, Wunderhorse unleashes the full power of their music, transforming each track into a thrilling, raw experience that can’t be replicated anywhere else. 

Wunderhorse’s live show is a testament to rock music at its most powerful—passionate,  dynamic, and completely unfiltered. If they’re coming to your city, don’t hesitate. See them now,  while you still have the chance to experience them in a setting this intimate.