On Tuesday 10th November, Bristol’s O2 Academy welcomed sibling musical duo Wasia Project to perform their recently released album, Nocturne. Part of their biggest tour to date, the night buzzed with anticipation from fans eager to hear the new record come to life. Having previously seen the pair live at Cardiff’s Tramshed during their UK 2024 tour.
Dutch female songwriting duo Lumï opened the night, taking the stage to warm up the crowd before Wasia Project. Unfamiliar with their music, I was genuinely charmed by their delicate harmonies and intimate lyricism. The crowd was entirely warmed up by the duo as they played Figure 8, an ethereal track, weaving heartfelt lyricism with elements of traditional Finnish heritage.
I, like many others, was particularly impressed by their sonic experimentation, blending instruments such as acoustic guitar with distorted autotune to create something refreshingly unique. They proved the perfect support act for Wasia Project, with Olivia Hardy later revealing that she had discovered them on Instagram and become a fan before the band reached out to offer them the support slot, making the pairing all the more fitting.
With big boots to fill, sibling duo Olivia Hardy and Will Gao took to the stage, soundtracked by a snippet of Moon Goddess, a fan favourite from Nocturne. Bristol’s crowd erupted with cheers, buzzing with excitement to discover what song would open their set. Much to the crowd’s delight, Strike Me Down From Heaven kicked off the night, diving straight into their distinctive synth-pop sound.
Slowing the night down, Hardy took a seat on a stool centre-stage to perform Voices in My Head, a track that had the crowd swaying along, with some even raising their phone torches. It was when the pair performed Even If I Tried that Gao’s talent behind the keyboard and his backing vocals really shone through. It was so refreshing to see such versatility on stage, with Gao moving effortlessly between instruments while Hardy showcased her flawless stage presence, and at times, mastery of the violin. Their musicianship makes it clear just how much the pair bring to their live performances; Wasia Project place the craftsmanship of art at the very sole of each performance they do.
As the set drew to a close, the pair performed Bleeding Gold and Wildfire before thanking the crowd and disappearing backstage. But Bristol wasn’t quite ready to let them go, with chants of “one more!” filling the room. Returning for their encore, Wasia Project performed Somebody Pull Through, smoothly bringing the night to a close.
Words by Ellie Evans
