poppedmusic

Pale Waves

Sound Control, Manchester 18th October 2017

Words & Photos: Tara Atkinson

To look at them you’d think Manchester quartet Pale Waves were an up and coming punk band, you’d be surprised if you walked past the sold out Sound Control on Wednesday night to hear beautiful indie waves streaming through the doors. Having just released their latest single Television Romance and completing a support slot on their label buddies The 1975’s American tour, it’s no surprise that Pale Waves have racked up a huge number of fans over the past year and that number is only going up!

Opening up the night was local lass Phoebe Green, and judging by the amount of posters dotted around the venue for her 20th birthday bash at Aatma next month she’s sure to have a sell out of her own! If Phoebe’s striking eye make up doesn’t catch your attention then her voice certainly will, there’s a certain similarity to Lorde with a hint of her Northern roots thrown into the mix creating something pure and dreamy. Put that with the majestic riffs, nifty drum beats and soaring bass and keys and you’ve got something fresh and exciting to throw into Manchester’s ever growing music scene.

Since the release of their debut single There’s A Honey, the song they closed with, Pale Waves have gone from strength to strength; getting signed by Dirty Hit being a high point in their career so far! Sharing a label with one of the biggest indie pop bands on the planet right now, The 1975, is obviously going to help a band get their name out there. And although there is a very clear similarity between the two bands, probably due to frontman Matty Healy and drummer George Daniel giving them a hand with producing on the regular, Pale Waves have managed to keep their originality. The strong bass lines, captivating synths and infectious riffs are all something that loosely links them to The 1975, but Heather’s angelic vocals and beautiful lyrical work set them aside and really bring them to be the band they are.

Pale Waves played a desperately short 35 minute set, something fans hope will be increased following the rumours of a possible debut album in the making. However, they say the best things come in small packages and this is 100% true regarding Pale Waves set. Playing both their released tracks, as well as some old songs like fan favourite Heavenly, and a sneak preview of their next single. With their sound ever evolving and maturing, it’s going to be an exciting path to follow as the quartet continue to grow and gain their status in the music industry.