The Evelyn Hotel, a mainstay in supporting local Melbourne talent, rarely houses an international band. One of the two international bands scheduled to perform this month was Manchester group Pale Waves, who were to transform the small confines of the Ev into what felt like a sprawling stadium show.
AViVA opened the night. Sporting luminescent dyed hair and confidence, the singer was the perfect opener. Her opening song would make most people think she was a rap act as she sung with fast flows and complex lyrics. This was just one of many times throughout the set it felt impossible to determine what AViVA’s fascinating and enthralling sound actually was. Her music melded the very different worlds of rap-rock and bubblegum pop with intense, gain-heavy power chords mixed with beautiful vocals. Ending on a number perfectly showcasing her voice with a glorious belt, AViVA left the crowd warmed up and ready for the night.
A slowly building sample of chords signalled the start of Pale Waves’ set. After a steady crescendo, the sample exploded into a monolithic, and goosebump-inducing wall of sound – think like the THX theme but somehow bigger. Pale Waves walked out to tremendous fan shrieking and applause. Starting with hit ‘Television Romance,’ the obvious fans were called out in the audience as they sung the song’s earworm lyrics word for word. Every song in the set had delightfully fun singalong choruses and catchy guitar riffs that wouldn’t leave your head, even on the tram ride home.
The four-piece’s entire set was perfect retro-rock with reverb heavy snare hits and guitar chords drenched in effects. Having had mentorship from The 1975’s Matty Healy and George Daniel, with those two appearing as production credits on a lot of their singles, it’s no surprise the band reflects that sweet ‘80s-revival sound.
The Ev’s stage seemed far too small to contain the band’s sound. Pale Waves could have filled out Rod Laver Arena with their glamorous and dramatic set.
Teasing an album, soon to be released this year, the band played through brand new track ‘Noises’ – which of course fans already knew every word to – and tracks from their recently released EP All The Things I Never Said including ‘My Obsession’ and ‘New Year’s Eve’.
Practically shattering the brick walls of the venue with hit ‘The Tide’, the band showed off their self-assuredness and confidence, without even having their own full-length album out. Finishing the set with the undeniably catchy ‘There’s A Honey’ the band promised “until next time,” in which it seemed many audience members agreed “next time” should come sooner.
Highlight: Seeing a really exciting band from the UK fill out the Ev.
Lowlight: Certain audience members making really loud noises with those things you blow into to make loud noises at birthday parties, and after being told to be quiet, getting violent.
Crowd Favourite: ‘There’s A Honey’.
