Palaye Royale’s love affair with London goes from strong to stronger

Review & Photos: Aggie Anthimidou Photography

Palaye Royale Live at Eventim Apollo, 10/02/2023

You don’t get many live rock shows like this anymore. Shows that rely on rock n’ roll showmanship to take fans’ experience to another level. But you do with Palaye Royale as they proved once more that they can give an explosive live rock n’ roll experience that can instantly turn anyone into a fan.

Every time Palaye Royale visits London is a bigger story. It was only in 2017 the band played Camden Assembly. 2022 saw them at a 3,000 strong, sold out Roundhouse before their biggest show yet at Eventim Apollo (a show originally planned for Brixton Academy). 

 

 

Anticipation is high with fans already warmed up following the earlier excellent performances from Starbenders and Yonaka. As the stage curtain drops, the Las Vegas band of brothers – frontman Reminghton Leith, guitarist Sebastian Danzig and drummer Emerson Barrett   – storm into the stage kicking off with ‘Nightmares’ before continuing to perform two more big fan favourites ‘No Love in LA’ and ‘You’ll Be Fine’. 

 

 

With them is guitarist Andrew Martin who is always spectacular to watch and takes the band’s live sound into classic rock territory, adding a unique element into their live performances. And for the first time on tour with Palaye Royale, Logan Baudéan on bass replacing Jennie Vee who previously toured with the band.

 

 

A Palaye Royale show is far more than just a music gig; it is an art show of glam rock extravagance. From the blasting energy, to the bold and unique (for each show) fashion statements to the punk rock attitude. Remington is sporting tonight a Palaye Royale take on the Ziggy Stardust lightning bolt make up; a special nod to the band’s big London musical influence David Bowie.

 

 

They effortlessly move through their setlist – which has a big focus on the band’s latest album ‘Fever Dream’ – charging up the atmosphere one song after the other. But you can also thank the fans for the latter. Palaye Royale has built an adoring, vibrant fan base that it is only getting bigger with each UK visit. And the band’s love for the fans is clear with Sebastian getting into the photo pit to perform alongside fans and Emerson coming down from his post to greet everybody.

 

“I love you so much” Emerson says.

 

Remington’s energy is endless and in all honesty admirable. He had previously shared on social media that he has been unwell during the last few shows. In any case though, tonight, you could never tell. 

 

“London you’ve always shown us for us, thank you” says Leith in true appreciation.

 

There are always elements of surprise at a Palaye show, last time with Remington touring all levels of Roundhouse to greet every single fan and this time crowd surfing above ecstatic fans in an inflatable boat!

 

An extended version of Mr. Doctor Man – with a rendition of The Doors’ ‘People Are Strange’ tucked in – led to crowd’s peak. The fans’ screams and cheering are an integral part of the band’s performance as much as the music itself is.

 

 

A special moment when Remington gets behind the piano to perform ballad ‘Lonely’ has offered a moment of reflection but Palaye Royale’s promise is always to leave everybody on a high note. Martin’s playing really shines throughout the final song ‘Get Higher’ and a colourful confetti shower is the ultimate perfect ending to the life celebration that a Palaye Royale show is.

The future couldn’t look more exciting for the band!

Setlist

1. Nightmares
2. No Love in LA
3. You’ll Be Fine
4. Broken
5. Fucking With My Head
6. Paranoid
7. King of the Damned
8. Mr. Doctor Man (incorporated cover of The Doors’ ‘People Are Strange’)
9. Give Me Pain
10. Oblivion
11. Punching Bag

Encore

12. Off With The Head
13. Off With The Head (Outro)

Encore 2

14. Lonely
15. Fever Dream
16. Get Higher

 

 

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