WISP: The Next Wave of Shoegaze

Shoegaze singer Natalie R. Lu, better known as WISP, made her Manila debut last Dec. 6 at the Skydome, SM North EDSA.

- Gracie Go

Presented by Pulp Live World and SKESH Entertainment, the event marked her first-ever performance in the Philippines as part of the WISP Live in Manila tour. Hours before the show, we had the chance to sit down with the shoegaze princess to discuss her journey, inspiration, and excitement for the tour.

Renowned for her ethereal vocals, WISP's rise to shoegaze stardom has been nothing short of remarkable. Drawing inspiration from bands like Cocteau Twins, Title Fight, and Whirr, she has shared stages with legends such as Panchiko and Slowdive, cementing her place in the genre. If you're into shoegaze, gaming, or TikTok, chances are you've encountered her tracks, often paired with edits of classic horror video games like Fatal Frame, Resident Evil, and Silent Hill.

When asked about balancing shoegaze's nostalgic roots with her own style, WISP explained, "I don't feel a need to stick strictly to what shoegaze was. As long as I understand the genre and add my own twist to it, I'm happy - and I hope it makes others happy, too."