Words and Pictures: Rebecca Bush / Rebecca Bush Photography
Today the Fever Dream Europe and UK tour hits the first UK date in Manchester. Sadly second support Yonaka have had to step down due to sickness so tonight’s running order is a little different than scheduled and first support Starbenders have a longer set time.
Starbenders
The Arena is full and buzzing with excitement as first act, hailing from Atlanta, Starbenders take to a UK stage for the very first time! This is a band I have been super excited to see and they did not disappoint! Having collaborated with lead singer of Palaye Royale on a track from their debut album ‘Love Potions’ there were plenty of fans in the room familiar with them and they received an extremely warm welcome. These guys speak one language – Rock and Roll! It’s sexy, beautiful, full of attitude and completely mesmerizing. Front woman Kimi Shelter embodies a wonderful glam image and her vocals are a heady mix of soft and breathy and gritty power immaculately executed. Wielding her guitar emblazoned with a red dripping heart she commands attention alongside her band mates who all equally shine, it’s a true feast. They blast through a wonderful set and some tracks get a huge response such as singles ‘Bitches be Witches’ and ‘Blood Moon’. A wonderful performance that has the whole room wanting more. I for one hope to see them back on our shores in the near future!
Palaye Royale
As always the energy in the room is palpable as the time comes for tonight’s headliners to take to the stage. Ripping through the air with opener ‘Nightmares’ the whole place erupts and is alive with everyone instantly singing along. There is so much love in the room at a Palaye show fans and band are wonderfully connected in mutual appreciation and admiration. Perhaps even more so tonight as it is clear that singer Remington Leith is struggling and battling with sickness but determined to push through. This is where the fans come in , where he has to take space to catch a breath they carry him in a chorus of voices keeping the songs flowing as he dips in and out but stays connected.
Still leaping around the stage and even jumping into an inflatable dinghy riding the crowd and deploying a huge water gun across the whole room before being taken back to the stage it’s clear that he is more than dedicated to his fans, in fact he takes a moment to address us all saying “I woke up deathly ill this morning but the last thing I wanted to do was to cancel Manchester” which is obviously met with riotous applause.
Band mates and brothers Sebastian Danzig on guitar and Emerson Barrett on drums are on top form and on stage it’s a real comradery everyone is full of life and pulling out all the stops to make this a great show – with complete success! Track after track is consumed by the crowd eagerly there isn’t a single song in their repertoire that isn’t a hit , singles and album tracks alike all get a huge response each one setting up camp in its own special spot in their hearts. Of course there are some huge cinematic moments none more so than the epic crescendo that is title track and tour namesake ‘Fever Dream’ it takes on a whole life of its own and elevates the evening in magical ways. Palaye Royale brought their A game tonight and they showed us all just how much this means to them and how dedicated they are to their fans, forever onwards and upwards!
SETLIST
Nightmares
No Love in LA
You’ll Be Fine
Broken
Fucking With My Head
King of the Damned
Paranoid
Oblivion
Punching Bag
(Unknown)
Mr. Doctor Man
Off With the Head
Off With the Head (outro)
Encore:
Lonely
Fever Dream
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