Wolf Alice played a massive homecoming show at London’s Finsbury Park on Sunday, July 5th, and capped the night by covering Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” during the encore.
The Finsbury Park set commemorated 16 years of the band, celebrated their 2025 album The Clearing, and featured a stacked list of openers, including The Last Dinner Party, Lykke Li, Rachel Chinouriri, and more. Before they closed off the set with “Giant Peach,” Wolf Alice launched into the iconic “Smells Like Teen Spirit” riff and played the song’s first verse and chorus. According to Setlist.fm, it’s the first time they’ve ever covered the Nirvana track. Watch fan-captured videos of the cover below.
In addition to performing at Finsbury Park last weekend, Wolf Alice announced The Clearing: B-Sides, a three-song collection of B-sides from their most recent album. Out on August 21st, the 7-inch package features the newly-released “Gospel Oak” as well as “Hammond Song” and “Hit The Sky.”
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“These are a few songs we made during The Clearing that didn’t make it on the final record, but are ones we love very much, including a cover with two of our fave singers Julia Cumming and Bria Salmena,” Wolf Alice said in a statement. “We’re happy to have found a home for them for you to hear. Enjoy” “Gospel Oak,” a ballad, revives the piano-based songwriting found in The Clearing and its predecessor, 2021’s Blue Weekend, and finds vocalist Ellie Rowsell narrating a series of missed connections. Stream the new track below.
Wolf Alice have a handful of North American tour dates coming later this year, including appearances at Lollapalooza and Osheaga as well as a stretch opening for Olivia Rodrigo on her “Unraveled Tour.” Get tickets to see the band here.
Wolf Alice covering Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana at Finsbury Park this evening 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/50cvDrbcwe
— gherkin rowsell (@gherkinrowsell) July 5, 2026