Third in a full line-up Saturday, July 3, The Wandas began their performance at the Middle East Upstairs with grace and stoicism. Each of the four members walked onstage sporting a neutral colored tee – shades of grey and black – calm parted hair, and a mild demeanor: “Thanks for coming out.”
Often column-blocked in the mazelike venue, the audience seemed disengaged at first, weaving in and out of smaller nooks to carry on even smaller conversations. But soon the focus of conversation changed; the audience began conversing with band members and vice versa. The crowd warmed to The Wandas, among them a middle-aged woman, hardly five feet tall, who jived enthusiastically, beer raised above her head and pearls bouncing with each beat.
The musicians were quick to take notice and responded with similar stage-quaking enthusiasm. Guitarist Brent Battey was arguably the most reserved during their opening piece, “New Wave Blues.” The musical pulse beat only in his hands, as he allowed them to follow the pre-arranged path of muscle memory, fret and guitar string. Yet by the final song, “Please Come Home,” Battey, along with the other three members, were frenzied – head bucking, torso jerking and unpredictable.
As The Wandas talked loudly the crowd chattered back, not discouraged by the band’s slow but certain warm-up. “The Lady,” which came halfway through their set, provided the musical climax of the night. As the music peaked with a crooning pop number so did the audience; concertgoers began dancing and shouting “Take off your shirt! Take it off!” to no band member in particular.
None of The Wandas stripped down. But, at the close of their set, manes sweaty and tousled, it sure looked like they wanted to. See them again live, and if the audience is more persuasive, maybe nude, when The Wandas return to Cambridge on July 24th.