Wet Leg Lets Loose at Coachella and in Net-a-Porter April 17, 2023 | Images by Annie Lai
/Wet Leg, a British indie rock group, was founded in 2019 by singer Rhian Teasdale and lead guitarist Hester Chambers on the Isle of Wight. The duo debuted with their single "Chaise Longue" in 2021, followed by their self-titled debut album in 2022. The album reached number one on the UK Albums Chart, Australia's ARIA Albums Chart, and the Irish Albums Chart.
Wet Leg has received five Grammy nominations, winning Best Alternative Music Album and Best Alternative Music Performance at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. They also won Best New Artist and Best British Group at the 2023 Brit Awards.
Fast forward to now, where the good fairy sprinkled glorious fairy dust on the duo, appointing them in 2022 as the lead opening group on the 2023 Harry Styles ‘Love on Tour’ tour.
Following Styles’ sold-out 43-date arena tour in 2021, his now 83-date 2023 international tour runs across 22 countries, including 13 shows across Latin America, seven dates in Australia and New Zealand, and 44 nights in North America.
Wet Leg performed hits like ‘Chaise Lounge’ at Coachella 2023 this past weekend. [This video is live at the BRITAwards 2023.]
Today we meet Wet Leg’s Rhian and Hester in the pages of Net-a-Porter’s April 17th issue, where Hanna Hanra talks “fun, friendship and tearing up the songwriting rule book.” Kristen Neillie styles the couple eccentric pieces with lots of denim from Acne Studios, Dries Van Noten, Etro, Givenchy, Gucci, Jacquemus, JW Anderson, Khaite, MM6 Maison Margiela, Rick Owens, Simone Rocha, Stella McCartney and more.
Photographer Annie Lai [IG] shoots the talented, conspiratorial duo Rhian and Hester, who first met at the Isle of Wight College, where they became close friends.
It took them a decade to decide to make music together, eventually signing with the Domino Recording Company, known for working with Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand. The name Wet Leg was chosen through a game of picking different emoji combinations, and it stuck.
The relationship between Rhian and Hester evolved over time, starting as a casual relationship and eventually leading to marriage. In an interview with Exclaim! Magazine, Rhian shared, "We started off in a pretty casual relationship and now we're married." Hester added, "But I think it's really amazing to be experiencing this with you and the band."
Wet Leg's live performances feature additional musicians, including Henry Holmes on drums and percussion, Ellis Durand on bass and backing vocals, and Josh Mobaraki on additional guitars, synthesizer, and backing vocals.
With their unique sound and captivating performances, Wet Leg has quickly gained a loyal fan base and critical acclaim. Their journey from the Isle of Wight to international recognition and the Harry Styles tour is a testament to their talent, dedication, and the strong bond between Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers.
Scanning the Coachella reviews, let’s just say that these ladies have fans. ~ Anne
AOC Addendum: Wet Leg subscribes to the Cindi Lauper view that ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’.