Dream Wife - Academy, Manchester, 9/4/2018
by Dixie Ernill
published: 10 / 5 / 2018

intro
Dixie Ernill at the Manchester Academy finds that Dream Wife, while proving to be genuine, still lack the vocal punch to convince him that they are worthy of the hype.
Having previously only seen photographs of the band and read the odd review I am unsure as to whether or not Dream Wife are a genuine band or some kind of industry in-joke. Band members named Alice Go, Bella Podpadec and Rakel Mjoll only add to this conspiracy theory. Seeing them live, supporting the Vaccines at a sold out Manchester Academy, it is, however, instantly apparent that they are the real deal as they belt out an array of punk-pop tracks. Mainly lifted from their self-titled debut album, the songs bristle with energy driven on by Podpadec’s muscular bass and Go’s stylist raw guitar work. Singer Mjoll may not have the strongest voice, but oozes charisma and displays enough pouts and lustful looks to keep the teenage boys in the crowd on point. 'Hey Heartbreaker' is a catchy opener, while 'Kids' and 'Somebody' also burrow into the brain, but set closer 'F.U.U.', like the Spice Girls with Tourette’s, is the perfect showstopper to end upon. Somewhere in the middle new single 'Fire' rings out with angular guitar stabs, but again the vocals don’t quite do the song justice. Dream Wife are certainly a band to keep tabs on and do have an appeal, but right now they are still some way behind the excellent Desperate Journalist and as such for me, at least, the jury is still out.
Also at Academy, Manchester
Band Links:-
https://dreamwife.bandcamp.com/https://www.facebook.com/dreamwifedream
https://twitter.com/DreamWifeMusic
Picture Gallery:-


reviews |
So When You Gonna (2020) |
![]() |
Spirited and versatile second album from London-based Icelandic-UK pop-punk trio Dream Wife |
most viewed articles
current edition
John McKay - InterviewCathode Ray - Interview
Robert Forster - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Spear Of Destiny - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Chris Wade - Interview
Shrag - Huw Stephens Session 08.12.10 and Marc Riley Session 21.03.12
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBoomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Manic Street Preachers - (Gig of a Lifetime) Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, December 1999
Allan Clarke - Interview
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Pixies - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Chuck Prophet - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Dwina Gibb - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleVinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Little Simz - Lotus
HAIM - I Quit
Pulp - More
Lapsley - I'm a Hurricane, I'm a Woman In Love
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart