Palace at Hammersmith Apollo
Currently on their UK tour before embarking around the States, British alternative-rock band Palace had their first slice of fame back in 2014 when they entered the indie music scene. Two years on, the band were signed to Fiction Records and have since been gathering an impressive and loyal fan base on their rise through the chart ranks. Now at almost two million monthly listeners on Spotify, the group’s latest album release from this year, Ultrasound, has received huge approval from fans and critics alike. Palace brought it back to their London roots with a sold-out night at the iconic Hammersmith Apollo – and delivered a performance to remember.
The stage set-up was relatively simple yet endearing: strings of naked light bulbs lit in a warm yellow hung from the ceiling and draped at differing lengths. Throughout the performance, these switched on at different times to create the illusion of a twinkling starry night sky behind the band, something which worked particularly well in slower, stripped-back numbers like Holy Smoke, performed as a solo by Leo Wyndham. Alongside Wyndham on vocals, the band is made up of Rupert Turner, Will Dorey and Matt Hodges. Their attire for the evening was casual and comfortable, with buttoned shirts and jeans, a wardrobe choice that nicely reflected the laid-back essence the group already give out in their music.
Palace opened the night with hypnotic, otherworldly instrumental track Cocoon. The packed-out venue erupted in cheers and bristled with anticipation as this rang throughout. Eyes were met with the rising of lights on the stage, and the members walked on one by one. The room seemed to hold its breath as they picked up their instruments and took their positions. Interestingly, the band chose to follow Cocoon with the final track of their latest album Ultrasound, called Goodnight, Farewell. One of their lengthier songs clocking in at almost six minutes, this track invites listeners on a vulnerable, open-wound journey with lyrics that drip in emotion and inescapable weight, such as the call back to the memory of an old self in the line “I will never forget who you were”. Stretched guitar chords blend in a chaotic amalgamation with violin and 80s synths to create an orgasmic sound in the ears.
Palace nothing short of delivered with a vast setlist, barely hesitating to start the next track when one had finished. The performance would have benefitted from more crowd interaction by lead Wyndham, who only occasionally asked the room “How you doing, London?”, something which isn’t exactly an original line to deliver to a crowd. For those present who were less familiar with their older roster, it would have been better for them to introduce these and their significance.
Other notable tracks performed included So Long Forever, the namesake of their 2016 album release. This one is an undeniable fan favourite, with Wyndham’s husky vocals and an ever-changing beat and key coming together to create an unforgettable number. Palace delivered more favourites, this time from their latest album, including Son and Bleach – the latter of the two leaves a stain on the listener’s memory with uplifting guitar backing to the impressively heartfelt and aching vocal melody.
Upon performing their biggest hit to date, Live Well, fans ignited with excitement and threw their arms in the air and around one another whilst passionately belting along. The lights were brought up so the audience’s reaction was clearly visible to the band. The emotion that hit Wyndham was evident as he laughed and shook his head in disbelief at the chorus of voices that rang out across the venue.
It’s safe to say that Palace left a tremendous mark on the room that night, with attendees remarking on the fantastic performance they’d just witnessed as they spilled out of the doors and into the streets. With an ever-growing fan base and the consistent delivery of new musical content, it’ll be no surprise to see Palace shortly become a household name across the globe.
Emily Downie
Photos: Virginie Viche
For further information and future events visit Palace’s website here.
Watch the video for the single Goodnight, Farewell here:
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