Bristol O2 Academy – Saturday 5th February 2022
It was of no surprise that we found ourselves in a packed O2 Saturday evening. The justified acclaim building for new album “Shoals” (album no 3 from Palace) would guarantee a large draw.
Billie Marten
Support came in the form of Indie, folk songstress Billie Marten.
No stranger to headlining in her own right. This is the first opportunity I have had to see Billie live. And quite honestly I was awestruck.
Music is as much about feeling as lyrics or melody. And Billie’s understated delivery has such a warmth to it. We were instantly transported to hazy summer days, basking in warm sunshine with the noise and distractions of the real world put on temporary pause.
For music to have that effect on people is a skill not many can master. And it’s full credit to Billie that she can bottle those feelings in so much of her work.
Palace
The cheer that greeted the London foursome gave a nod to how much affection people hold this band in.
I spent many a moment observing the crowd. And it quickly becomes obvious this is a band who’s songs have forever become a part of special times and memories in peoples lives. Symbolised most by a couple with arms around each other, gazing into each other’s eyes & singing along to every word.
“Shoals” has had quite the impact. And the set reflected that.
A band of few words, but a band that greatly appreciated the people that had given up their Saturday evening to see them live. “That was insane” the sentence uttered by vocalist Leo Wyndham at having the whole floor sing back at him.
“Shoals” is an album for anyone. Describing “the feelings we go through & how you deal with them, learning to love certain things & learning to appreciate having certain anxieties & fears. In a sense they make you feel real and human.” So to hear many of its tracks performed so beautifully was a little piece of calm in an ocean of chaos.
In a day where bands are so readily pigeon holed. It’s refreshing to find a band with such a broad spectrum of appeal.
@daisykennt
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