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Indie-rock band Pale Waves returned to Leeds on the 17th February, performing their latest album, “Who Am I?” at the O2 academy. Jess Plunkett and Eve McManaman went along to see what went down...
Standing in the pit of the O2 Academy, we could feel the crowd behind us scream in anticipation as the lights turned to black and the background music was brought to a halt. Pale Waves had finally arrived. A heavy base began to creep through the room, and it felt as though the floor was crumbling from beneath us. Or maybe that was our shaky legs from the nerves!
We were lucky enough to be granted a photography pass for the gig, meaning for the first three songs of the show we were stood in front of the crowd, within touching distance of the band themselves. Their simple setup was juxtaposed with an array of colourful, flashing lighting which began the minute the band arrived onstage, which complimented the band’s ‘Rock’ inspirations. They began with the lead single off their new album, “Who Am I?” and the crowd sang the words right back to them.
Originally named Creek, Pale Waves were formed in Manchester in 2014, and have been growing ever since. With such northern roots, it’s clear to see why their Northern shows mean so much to them, which was further displayed when lead singer Heather Baron-Gracie dedicated a song Tomorrow to the crowd; “Leeds, this song will always be yours”. Gracie also revealed a not-so-secret fondness for Yorkshire Tea, to which the crowd replied with their classic chant: “YORKSHIRE! YORKSHIRE! YORKSHIRE!”
The night was rounded off by a highly requested encore, where they played She's My Religion and fan favourite, There’s a Honey, and the electrifying set was one many won’t forget for a long time.
Words and photos: Jess Plunkett and Eve McManaman