Palma Violets // Live Review

Band: Palma Violets

Date: 22nd November 2013

Venue: Newcastle University Student Union

Newcastle University's Student Union is renound for creating the most intimate, (not to mention sweatiest) gig atmosphere available to avid music fans. With touchable ceilings and a 30-second manoeuvre from the barrier to the bar; the little venue is perfect for lining up the icons. And now, on a Friday night, the hidden venue opened it's door of welcome, to none other than Palma Violets.

If you haven't heard of Palmas, then really where the fuck have you been in 2013? Releasing their debut '180' earlier this year, the Violets have been traveling on a whirlwind of destruction; bagging large fonts on the UK's most prestigious music festivals, such as Glastonbury and only Reading and Leeds. 

They're best friends with  (arguably) the three most shagable girls in a band ever; (I'm obviously talking about Haim here!) Surely they must be doing something right? 

So..were Palma Violets worth the £12.50? Or should you avoid them like the plague of sweets nobody dares to touch?

Two words: fucking class

The night started with a roar from Scottish band Babystrange; who play electric indie rock with a kick. Loping onto his guitar, front-man Johnny leers down the mic to soon-to-take-the-country-by-storm single 'Pure Evil'. A tribute to Chilli Jesson actually sees the Palmas bass player jumping into the small crowd - a band for 2014 for definite 

The crazy atmosphere intensifys as second support act 'Childhood' take to the stage. The lead singer adorns a 'fro so funky you'd kill for looks like that! Slightly mellowed songs pierce the roudy masculine crowd; subduing them slightly, before Childhood roar into songs that make the hairs on the back of your neck almost touch the low ceiling of the hidden venue.

Finally, after due waiting; none other than Palma Violets grace the saucepan-sized stage. To say the least there was really nothing like it.

The Violets shredded their way through a killer set list of songs; perfectly harmonising with each other. Crowd pleaser 'Best of Friends' saw grown men holding hands with one another; bouncing around in a drunken haze. While 'Chicken Dippers' found a mass sing-a-long churning it's way through the venue.

Palma's had so much energy and sophistication to their proformance, you would've thought they'd been perfecting this falace for centuries; not just forming in the late 2010! 

Ending on a valiant chorus of 'oh fourteen, oh fourteen take me home', the neurotic Jesson flips his way into the crowd and finds himself being hurtled forward into the belly of the beast. But Jesson seems to be cool and collected when girls (but mainly boys) have a cheeky feel of his crotch. He doesn't mind; he's becoming a rock star!

If you're looking for an un-forgettable night of live music, with an atmosphere that trickles perfection; then you've picked the right band to go see.

Up-Coming Gigs // Palma Violets + Peace

For a concert enthusiast, your personal postman slowly becomes to be your best-friend. Shitty day? Postman rocks up in his regal red van delivering concert tickets. Great day at sixth form / college? made even better by the surprise arrival of gig tickets. Tickets, tickets, tickets. The premium, sort-after piece of card that can turn your friends and foes green with envy with a quick swipe under their noses.

Two sought-after precious cards came through my door today - a welcoming surprise after my utter abysmal day at dreary sixth form. The two passes, which are soon to open up the world of euphoric wonder for a handful of hours, are two relatively known bands who's reputations are steadily exceeding themselves. The two prestigious bands are Palma Violets and Peace.

To be fair, I'm more excited to see Peace's support act on the November / December tour, rather than themselves. Drenge support Peace this Winter. Drenge. Breathe. Drenge are possibly one of the most highly rated bands around at the current time, consisting of the two Loveless brothers. Loveless by name, loveless by nature. 'I Wanna Break You In Half' and 'People In Love Make Me Feel Yuck', give off the impression that maybe Drenge aren't going to be that shoe gazing pop group playing about with the synthesiser.

Four-piece Peace from Worcester however, need no introduction. NME has crammed their name into every issue and it's seriously impossible to get away from them. But, are they worth the hype? Yeah, definitely. I seen them live at T In The Park earlier this year, and their live performance is full of camp sparkle to get you dancing. Harry Koisser was dressed for the Scottish weather appropriately, with a large, over-sized fur coat dangling off his skinny body, as the band raced through their roaring set from debut album 'In Love'.

Peace's gig (originally being held at Hoult's Yard, Newcastle) has been moved to Northumbria Uni, on December 1st. I haven't been to Northumbria Uni for a gig before, so I'm hoping that when I report back it'll be a positive experience from an intimate gig.

The second ticket that came through the post today was Palma Violets. What can I say? There is only one word that can possibly describe Palma Violets: fuck. I also seen the the indie-rock quartet, originating from Lambeth London, live at T in The Park this year also. It was one of those performances that had you completely mesmerised, and at one point I did feel tears streaming down my face.

Palma Violets are supported on tour by a band called Baby Strange, who I am yet to look into - but to support a band, also heavily promoted by NME, must mean their half-alright doesn't it? Palma's bring a fusion of energy and the mood of a wild party to the stage with tracks from their debut '180'. They play Newcastle Uni on November 22nd and are sure to deliver another unforgettable set in a sweaty, intimate basement setting. Every human in the room is bound to be doused in twenty other peoples sweat. And strangely, I for one, can't wait for either of them!