Valley at Scala

Toronto alt-pop trio made their UK debut with a sold-out show at London’s renowned Scala. Consisting of Rob Laska (lead vocals/guitar), Karah James (drums/guitar/vocals) and Alex Dimauro (bass/vocals), Valley formed when Laska and Dimauro first met in high school. Their rise has been meteoric, amassing millions of loyal fans and earning a Juno Award nomination for Group of the Year in 2022.

Valley’s stage presence was as relaxed as their outfits, and Laska had the crowd in the palm of his hand with his charming demeanour during opener Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden. This track, from their 2024 album of the same name, touches on themes of rediscovery after the departure of their fourth member, Mickey Brandolino. With the help of old friend Chase Lawrence, they channelled their feelings into writing and were able to unlock a new sound. This is referenced in A Little More, in which “the band are back together” is chanted with fans screaming along.

The energy continued with Bass Player’s Brother, a dreamy synth-filled, drum-driven track about toxic love cycles. It opens with the line, “[Janie] fell in love with the bass player’s brother,” upon which Laska jokingly points to bassist Dimauro. The playful rhythm of this number, as well as the popular sucks to see you doing better, had the venue going wild, much to the encouragement of Laska who leapt around the stage as his glasses clung on for dear life. Valley’s blend of heart-touching lyrics contrasting with upbeat rhythms kept the vibe running high.

Songs like Swim, a poignant ballad about watching a loved one struggle, and hiccup, which puts at odds the pain of a breakup with sweet harmonies, showcased Valley’s ability to transform heavier emotions into beautiful music. Their layered harmonies and Laska’s smooth, electro-pop vocal style, reminiscent of LANY, added a rich texture to the live experience that left your ears sizzling satisfactorily. When Like 1999 played, the audience joyfully erupted. A carefree throwback to the 90s, it offered a moment of lightness amid an emotional journey; influencing the crowd to let down their hair and dance, this was undoubtedly a highlight of the evening.

Before performing Life Goes On Without Me, a heartbreaking track about feeling lost in oneself, Laska invited the room to feel closer to the band by pausing to reflect on challenges they had faced in finding their new sound.

For the encore, Valley played There’s Still a Light In the House and Bop Ba. Laska came into the crowd for the finale, surrounded by fans in disbelief who now stood opposite him. A touching moment, he smiled at onlookers, returned waves to those leaning over the rails and quickly apologised for his sweaty appearance. The room settled as the gentle intro to Bop Ba began, before it ramped up and he returned to the stage, capping off a night of undeniable connection with their fans.

Despite a challenging previous year, Valley’s debut UK performance proved they have no plans to stop anytime soon. With London’s enthusiastic reception, it’s clear they’ll continue to capture hearts and ears worldwide.

Emily Downie
Photos: Virginie Viche

For further information and future events visit Valley’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Like 1999 here: