From Camden to Wembley: Palaye Royale’s unforgettable night of glory

9 November 2024, Wembley Arena

Words & Photos by: Aggie Anthimidou Photography

“From a kid putting on my mum’s make-up, all the way to Wembley Arena. I am nothing without you guys. Thank you so much… You guys made our dreams come true.”

Remington Leith’s words echoed across the vast Wembley Arena, the raw emotion in his voice amplified by the cheers of thousands. Tonight was more than just a concert—it was the culmination of years of hard work, passion, and an unshakable bond between Remington Leith, Sebastian Danzig and Emerson Barrett (aka Palaye Royale) and their fans (also known as the ‘Soldiers of the Royal Council’). For the band, this was the pinnacle moment of a journey that had already seen them go from underground favourites to global stars. And for the fans in the audience, this was a night to remember—a piece of music history, witnessed firsthand.

For those of us who have followed Palaye Royale from their beginnings, there was a sense of pride in the air—an unspoken acknowledgment that this was our moment too. From the small venues like Camden Assembly, to bigger Roundhouse and last year to the grander stage of the Hammersmith Apollo, the trio’s trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric. And now, they had conquered Wembley Arena, a venue that many artists can only dream of playing, especially at this velocity.

The night’s show was the band’s most ambitious production yet, with pyro, sparkles, and balloons filling the stage in a dazzling display that complemented the band’s ever-evolving visual art aesthetic. Yet, despite the high-budget stage effects, Palaye Royale’s true essence remained unchanged: at their core, they are a band that embodies rock ‘n’ roll charisma, with raw energy and authenticity that no amount of pyro can outshine.

Opening with the high-energy Nightmares, the band immediately set the tone for the night. The crowd roared as the familiar chords rang out, and Remington’s voice soared through the arena. The energy only grew with each successive song—Death or Glory, Little Bastards, and You’ll Be Fine—the crowd singing every word back to the band. Palaye Royale’s connection with their audience has always been a hallmark of their live shows.

One of the defining moments of the night came early, as Sebastian Danzig made his customary visit to the front row during Death or Glory. It’s a tradition that has become a trademark of Palaye Royale’s performances. There was something deeply personal about that interaction, a celebration of the shared experience between the band and their ever-growing community.

The evening was carefully curated, striking a perfect balance between creative chaos and wild abandon during Showbiz, while songs like Oblivion offered moments of reflection.

 

Each song felt like a chapter in the band’s story, one that has been written with both triumphs and struggles.

“You guys gonna make my mum so fuckin’ proud. She spent everything on piano lessons so we can be here. She always told me that this would be a memorial show for her and I never believed her till she was gone”

Remington’s voice cracked with emotion while dedicating Fever Dream to his late mum Stephanie Rachel Cowper; a woman who has been a defining figure in the band’s journey and success. As the words hung in the air, her presence was palpable, felt not just through Remington’s heartfelt dedication, but through the very essence of the evening.

The night reached an unforgettable high during Showbiz, a track that saw Remington cruising the pit on an inflatable dinghy, alongside his infectious grin. It was a moment of sheer chaos and joy, the embodiment of the band’s spirit. These are the moments that have come to define the band’s live shows; moments where the line between performance and real life blurs, and every ounce of energy is poured into creating an experience that feeds the unpredictable!

The encore offered a perfect close to the night, with Dead to Me from their latest album Death or Glory before the explosive finale of Mr. Doctor Man which found Remington in the mosh pit.

Tonight was clear: the band has arrived! And they are not stopping anytime soon.

Echoing Remington’s words…

“We are gonna be here for a long time. We love you”

As the final notes of the show rang out and the band took their bows, there was a palpable sense of accomplishment in the air. But even more than that, there was an overwhelming sense of gratitude—both from the band and the fans—because, as Remington had said earlier, this night was all about dreams coming true.