Pale Waves at SWG3
Chloe Gill
My only proper understanding and knowledge of Pale Waves, having not listened to them personally, was that they receive so much hate, that I can't actually recall seeing any positive comments about them. However, after witnessing them live earlier this year I can easily say that the hate is, for sure, uncalled for.
When the four piece walked onto the stage, for the first show of their UK and Ireland tour to play their first song of the night ‘Television Romance,’ the band absolutely shone! Lead singer, Heather, was dressed in tight leather, which looked absolutely lush when the bright lights flickered. All you could see were the stark outlines of the powerful quartet, no expressions.
It was amazing!
My favourite song from their new album ‘My Mind Makes Noises’ is ‘Eighteen’ which is also the bands’ top track on Spotify. Throughout the three minutes of heavenly nostalgia , Heather sings about her first love, ironically, whom she met when she was eighteen. “In this city that depresses her”, her lover made her feel like she could “finally see in colour.” A definite summer tune and utter bliss to listen to live!
Visually, they couldn’t have been faulted, however this is actually one of the most common complaints or ‘feedback’ that I have read, with listeners saying that they have “focused on how they look more than their sound.” Overall I’d probably say they're into a 90’s gothic ‘aesthetic.’ and often get compared to ‘The 1975’ who’s record label they are perhaps un-coincidently signed to. People have said that they find their pop-rock sound quite adverse considering how they look, their sound boring with lyrics appearing basic and straightforward. My opinion… give them time to evolve. It doesn’t seem right to be criticised for looking good. Individuality makes any artist recognisable. Similar to many others, I felt like Pale Waves sounded better live, too.
SWG3 as a venue itself seemed to be very spacious to say the least, yet, it still managed to be packed! We ended up getting pushed to the back by the end of the night, and because everybody was just so keen to see Pale Waves there was no way we could make our way back in. The staff were beyond helpful and friendly, even giving out cups of water and earbuds -which were needed more so for the fans who were belting out their songs word for word, who were probably louder than Pale Waves themselves! I quite often get the opposite impression from venues, but this just wasn’t the case.
The night was perfect and we felt so welcome, listening to great music. Pale Waves can consider themselves having a new fan.
*Photographs by Jonny Rumsey
