Wet Leg

For their eponymous album, see Wet Leg (album).

Wet Leg are a British indie rock group from the Isle of Wight, founded in 2019 by Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers. They debuted with the single "Chaise Longue" in 2021. Their self-titled debut album debuted in 2022 at number one on the UK Albums Chart, Australia's ARIA Albums Chart and the Irish Albums Chart. The album was shortlisted for the 2022 Mercury Prize. At the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, Wet Leg won Best Alternative Music Album for their debut and Best Alternative Music Performance for "Chaise Longue", and were nominated for Best New Artist.^[1][2] They also won Best New Artist and Best British Group at the 2023 Brit Awards.

Wet Leg
Wet Leg performing in 2022
Background information
Origin	Isle of Wight, England
Genres	Indie rock post-punk indie pop
Years active	2019–present
Labels	Domino
Members	Rhian Teasdale Hester Chambers
Website	wetlegband.com

Wet Leg have cited various bands and artists as influences, including Bombay Bicycle Club, PJ Harvey, the White Stripes, the Strokes, and Kings of Leon.^[3]

History

Early lives

Merseyside-born Teasdale moved from Formby to the Isle of Wight when she was eight.^[4] She performed for many years on the Isle of Wight as a local musician and pianist,^[5] and prior to forming Wet Leg, was known as RHAIN and was linked to the music scene in Bristol.^[6] As RHAIN, Teasdale performed her song "Humdrum Drivel" in 2013.^[7] In 2014 she was photographed by Cosmopolitan magazine while attending the Isle of Wight music festival.^[8]

2019–present: band beginnings and first studio album

Teasdale and Chambers first met at Platform One College of Music on the Isle of Wight while studying.^[9] After ten years of friendship, they formed a band in 2019 under the name Wet Leg,^[10] and later signed with Domino Recording Company.^[11][12] Several different explanations have been given for how the band's name: in a December 2021 interview, they said chose the name by picking different emoji combinations;^[13] in an April 2022 YouTube interview, the band said it came from an Isle of Wight slang to describe non-locals on the island - those who had crossed the Solent were said to have a wet leg from getting off the boat.^[14]

Playing at the Electric Ballroom in 2022

The band's debut single, "Chaise Longue", was released on 15 June 2021,^[15] and gained media notice for earning millions of streams and video views.^[16] Their second single, "Wet Dream", was released on 28 September 2021. Variety noted, "It's rare that a new group releases two songs and they're both great". They appeared on Later... with Jools Holland on BBC2, on 30 October 2021.^[17] On 29 November 2021, they announced their debut self-titled album, released on 8 April 2022 via Domino. The same day, Wet Leg released the double-single "Too Late Now" / "Oh No".^[18]

In 2022, they toured the UK playing songs from their first album. It was then announced that they would tour Australia and New Zealand as the support band for Harry Styles's Oceanic leg of Love On Tour in 2023.^[19] Wet Leg appeared on Later... with Jools Holland in November 2021 and returned for the first part of his next series in May 2022.^[20]

In an interview with Andrew Ford of ABC in Australia in July 2022, Wet Leg clarified that a comment about a completed second album in a previous interview^[21] was "a big joke". "We haven't got a second album; we haven't had any time to write".^[22]

Wet Leg received three nominations at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, Best Alternative Music Performance ("Chaise Longue") and Best Alternative Music Album.^[1] Of these, they won the Grammys for Best Alternative Music Performance and Best Alternative Music Album.^[23] Wet Leg won Best New Artist and Group of the Year at the Brit Awards 2023 where they performed "Chaise Longue" with the prog Morris dance troup, Boss Morris, and their Morris beasts.^[24]

Wet Leg performed at Coachella in April 2023,^[25] where they were joined on-stage by Dave Grohl during their performance of "Ur Mum".^[26]

On 6 July 2023, Wet Leg remixed Depeche Mode's track "Wagging Tongue", the second single from their Memento Mori album.^[27]

Members

Wet Leg performing at The Truman in Kansas City on 6 December 2022

Current members

• Rhian Teasdale – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2019–present)
• Hester Chambers – lead guitar, backing and occasional lead vocals (2019–present)

Current touring musicians

• Henry Holmes – drums, percussion (2020–present)^[28]
• Josh Mobaraki – additional guitars, synthesizer, backing vocals (2020–present)^[28]
• Ellis Durand – bass, backing vocals (2021–present)^[28]

Former touring musicians and songwriting

• Doug Richards – drums, percussion (2019–2020)^[29]
• Michael Champion – bass (2019–2021)^[30]

Discography

Wet Leg discography
Studio albums	1
EPs	1
Singles	6
Music videos	6

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with release date and label shown

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions										Certifications
		UK [31]	AUS [32]	GER [33]	IRE [34]	JPN [35]	NLD [36]	NZ [37]	SWE [38]	SWI [39]	US [40]
Wet Leg	Released: 8 April 2022[41] Label: Domino Formats: CD, DD, LP, CS	1	1	8	4	64	10	4	59	11	14	BPI: Gold[42]

Extended plays

Title	Details
Apple Music Home Session: Wet Leg	Released: 4 February 2022 Label: Domino Formats: Streaming

Singles

Title	Year	Peak chart positions						Certifications	Album
		UK [31]	UK Indie [43]	JPN Over. [44]	US AAA [45]	US Alt [46]	US Rock Air. [47]
"Chaise Longue"	2021	74	13	—	18	15	21	BPI: Silver[42]	Wet Leg
"Wet Dream"[48]		74	7	19	—	25	36	BPI: Gold[42]
"Too Late Now"		—	—	—	35	—	—
"Oh No"		—	—	—	—	—	—
"Angelica"	2022	—	38	—	—	22	41
"Ur Mum"		—	46	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Music videos

Title	Year	Director
"Chaise Longue"	2021	Wet Leg
"Wet Dream"
"Too Late Now"		Fred Rowson
"Oh No"[49]	2022	Wet Leg
"Angelica"
"Ur Mum"		Lavaland

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Work	Result	Ref.
2022	Libera Awards	Breakthrough Artist/Release	"Chaise Longue"	Won	[50]
		Video of the Year		Won
		Best Sync Usage	"Chaise Longue" in Gossip Girl episode 5	Nominated
	AIM Independent Music Awards	UK Independent Breakthrough	Wet Leg	Won	[51]
		PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist		Nominated
		Best Independent Track	"Chaise Longue"	Nominated
	MTV Video Music Awards	Push Performance of the Year		Nominated	[52]
	Mercury Prize	Album of the Year	Wet Leg	Nominated	[53]
	UK Music Video Awards	Best Rock Video - Newcomer	"Ur Mum"	Nominated	[54]
			"Wet Dream"	Nominated
	MTV Europe Music Awards	Best Push	Wet Leg	Nominated	[55]
2023	Grammy Awards	Best New Artist		Nominated	[1]
		Best Alternative Music Performance	"Chaise Longue"	Won
		Best Alternative Music Album	Wet Leg	Won
	Brit Awards	British Album of the Year		Nominated	[56]
		Best New Artist	Wet Leg	Won
		Best British Group		Won
		Best British Rock/Alternative Act		Nominated
	Ivor Novello Awards	Songwriter of the Year	Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers	Won	[57][58]
	Libera Awards	Record of the Year	Wet Leg	Won	[59][60]
		Best Alternative Rock Record		Won
		Marketing Genius		Won
		Best Live/Livestream Act	US Tour 2022	Nominated
		Best Remix	"Too Late Now (Soulwax Remix)"	Won
		Video of the Year	"Ur Mom"	Won
2024	Grammy Awards	Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical	"Wagging Tongue (Wet Leg Remix)"	Won	[1]

References

1. "Wet Leg - Artist". Grammys.com. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
2. Horton, Adrian; Lee, Benjamin (6 February 2023). "Grammy awards 2023: list of winners". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
3. ""We didn't make decisions – we were flying by the seat of our pants!" – the inimitable WET LEG talk influences, not being taken seriously". buzz magazine. 21 March 2022. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
4. Hemmings, Jeff (29 October 2021). "BF Music Radio – Wet Leg". Brightonsfinest Radio Interviews. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
5. "It was no trouble for Rubble Club to please music lovers". 12 May 2021. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
6. The Sound of Bristol: RHAIN, Web.archive.org, December 2016
7. "Choosic TV IOW // RHAIN - Humdrum Drivel". September 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2022 – via YouTube.
8. "Festival fashion: street style at Isle of Wight Festival". 10 April 2022. Archived from the original on 10 April 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
9. "Wet Leg deserve Grammy wins, says Isle of Wight music teacher". BBC News. 7 February 2023.
10. "Meet Wet Leg, the British rock band to know now". Evening Standard. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
11. "Quirky debut release ensures splash for Isle of Wight band Wet Leg". Isle of Wight County Press. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
12. "One to watch: Wet Leg". The Guardian. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
13. Perry, Sally (6 December 2021). "Wet Leg band name: What's the origin and meaning? We have the answer, direct from the band". On the wight. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
14. @Wet Leg on their band name, “Chaise Longue” and social media | DIFFUS 8 April 2022 0:55
15. Deville, Chris (15 June 2021). "Wet Leg – "Chaise Longue"". Stereogum. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
16. Aswad, Jem (28 September 2021). "Oddball British Duo Wet Leg Return With Their Second Great Single This Year, 'Wet Dream'". Variety. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
17. Little, Lori (28 October 2021). "Isle of Wight band Wet Leg to star on Later With Jools Holland". Isle of Wight County Press. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
18. Jones, Damian (29 November 2021). "Wet Leg announce debut album and share two new songs 'Too Late Now' and 'Oh No'". NME. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
19. "Wet Leg live in London: a glorious victory lap for the indie sensations". NME. 27 April 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
20. "Wet Leg set for second appearance on Later with Jools Holland TODAY". Isle of Wight County Press. 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
21. Skinner, Tom (21 June 2022). "Wet Leg reveal they've completed their second album: "It's in the bag"". NME. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
22. Ford, Andrew (16 July 2022). "Wet Leg play live and Allan Clayton takes you on A Winter's Journey". ABC. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
23. Saunders, Zach (5 February 2023). "Isle of Wight band Wet Leg win TWO Grammy Awards". Isle of Wight County Press. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
24. Wilks, Jon (11 February 2023). "Who are the Morris dancers dancing with Wet Leg at the Brits?". Tradfolk. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
25. "Coachella 2023 Weekend 2 Lineup & Schedule: All the Set Times You Need to Know". Pitchfork. 21 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
26. Wilkes, Emma (22 April 2023). "Dave Grohl makes cameo appearance during Wet Leg Coachella set". NME. BandLab Technologies. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
27. Monroe, Jazz (7 July 2023). "Wet Leg Remix Depeche Mode's "Wagging Tongue": Listen". Pitchfork. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
28. "Wet Leg: Everything you need to know about the band, their debut album and more".
29. "Ex-Wet Leg bandmate claims he's uncredited for co-writing songs". 3 July 2023.
30. Tannenbaum, Rob (27 March 2022). "Wet Leg, the Indie-Rock Duo, Blew Up Fast. They Know It's Weird". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
31. "Wet Leg | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
32. "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
33. "Discographie von Wet Leg". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
34. "Top 100 Artist Album, Week Ending 15 April 2022". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
35. "ウェット・レッグ" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
36. "Discografie Wet Leg". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 April 2022.
37. "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
38. "Veckolista Album, vecka 15". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
39. "Discography Wet Leg". swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
40. "Billboard 200 (Week of April 23, 2022)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
41. Martoccio, Angie (29 November 2021). "'We Want to Be Goofy and a Little Bit Rude': Wet Leg Finally Announce Debut Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
42. "British certifications – Wet Leg". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 July 2024. Type Wet Leg in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
43. Peaks on the UK Indie chart:

    • "Chaise Longue", "Angelica" and "Ur Mum": "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50 - 15 April 2022". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
    • "Wet Dream": "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50 - 29 July 2022". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
44. Peaks on the Japan Overseas chart:

    • "Wet Dream": "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
45. Peaks on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart:

    • "Chaise Longue": "Adult Alternative Airplay Chart". Billboard. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
    • "Too Late Now": "Adult Alternative Airplay Chart". Billboard. 19 March 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
46. Peaks on the Alternative Airplay chart:

    • "Chaise Longue": "Alternative Airplay Chart". Billboard. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
    • "Angelica" "Alternative Airplay Chart: Week of 11 March 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
47. Peaks on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart:

    • "Chaise Longue": "Rock & Alternative Airplay Chart – March 12, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
    • "Wet Dream" and "Angelica": "Rock & Alternative Airplay Chart: Week of 11 March 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
48. "Wet Dream - Single by Wet Leg". Retrieved 5 January 2022 – via Apple Music.
49. "Wet Leg share video for "Oh No"". Dominomusic.com. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
50. Aswad, Jem (23 March 2022). "Japanese Breakfast, Jason Isbell, Arlo Parks Lead Indie-Music Collective A2IM's 2022 Libera Awards Nominees". Variety. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
51. Grein, Paul (28 September 2022). "Wet Leg, Stormzy & Rina Sawayama Win at 2022 AIM Independent Music Awards: Full Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
52. "Your 2022 VMA Nominations Are Here: Jack Harlow, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Nas X Lead The Pack". MTV. Archived from the original on 26 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
53. Singh, Surej (26 July 2022). "Mercury Prize 2022 shortlist revealed". NME.
54. "UK Music Video Awards 2022: all the nominations for this year's UKMVAs". Promonews. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
55. Szalai, Georg (12 October 2022). "Harry Styles Leads Nominations for MTV EMAs". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
56. Smith, Carl (12 January 2023). "BRIT Awards 2023 nominations REVEALED". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
57. Dunworth, Liberty (19 April 2023). "Arctic Monkeys, Florence + The Machine, Harry Styles lead 2023 Ivor Novello nominations". NME. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
58. Garcia, Thania (18 May 2023). "Ivor Novello Awards 2023 Winners List: Wet Leg Named Songwriters of the Year, Raye's 'Escapism' Takes Center Stage". Variety. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
59. Aswad, Jem (22 March 2023). "Wet Leg Leads Nominations for A2IM's Indie Libera Awards". Variety. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
60. Garcia, Thania; Okusanya, Emanuel (16 June 2023). "Wet Leg, Sudan Archives and More Win Big at 2023 A2IM Libera Awards". Variety. Retrieved 17 June 2023.

External links

• Official website
• Wet Leg discography at Discogs
• RHAIN Bandcamp