Palace charm Birmingham Town Hall

Birmingham Town Hall, 29 December 2024

At 7 pm, the doors of the Birmingham Town Hall open, and misty dark blue lights welcome Palace fans inside. Although seating and standing options are available at the beautiful and historical venue, the young crowds rush for the barriers with an endearing eagerness. No reluctant faces are in sight, not even those of a hesitant father-turned-chaperone. Everyone’s excitement builds as the lights dim and fades into red to introduce the opening act: Chartreuse.

Chartreuse is an up-and-coming alternative indie band whose music found its way back to the roots of where they first started making music: Birmingham. Comfortable on their home turf, the band’s moody and dark atmospheric sound pairs nicely with the ambient dark-pop synths and piano, whilst the guitar and drum acoustics are reminiscent of their folk and jazz inspiration. They introduce themselves with ‘Keep Checking up on Me’ from their first EP and close with ‘Never To Be Real’ from their latest album, Morning Ritual. Although the music is soothing, their nervousness bled through the performances as I found that their stage presence could have been more electrifying and emotive to match their stunning lyrics.

The pure passion in [ Wyndham’s ] facial expressions and his trademark tip-toe moves only made his performance more electrifying and engaging

However, Palace had chosen the perfect band to prime their fans for their epic entrance. As the main lights go down, strobe lights wash over the stage, illuminating the silhouettes of the approaching band members in white flashes. The static and psychedelic sounds of ‘cocoon’ build on the buzzing crowds, seamlessly blending into their first main song: ‘Goodnight, Farewell’. Leo Wyndham, lead singer of Palace, took to the stage effortlessly as his dedication to music leant to his contagious energy. The pure passion in his facial expressions and his trademark tip-toe moves only made his performance more electrifying and engaging.

Palace showcases the album Ultrasound, released on 5 April 2024, which offers narratives ranging from unimaginable loss, nostalgic romances, to self-reflection. Between songs, they share how special being back in Birmingham is as they outline how they first began at the Hare and Hounds. The context elevates the emotional weight of the entire performance, bringing tears to several audience members as Wyndham performs a lyrical and guitar solo of ‘Holy Smokes’. The lyrics about losing someone close to you and feeling the ghost of a connection through a spiritual link in the moments after death resonated with the acoustic soundscapes. Although ‘Holy Smokes’ is part of a previous album, So Long Forever, the power behind each lyric against Wyndham’s authentic and angelic vocals is stunning to behold live.

The emotional connection between each band member is so raw and vulnerable as they casually bounce off each other with practised ease

Wyndham’s acoustic solo is not the only surprise of the night. He and the band offer a special sneak peek of their newest song: ‘Eaten’. It is catchy to sing along to, with the audience members able to easily catch on to their lyrics, and it follows their iconic mystical and psychedelic-like sound mixed with indie rock. By this point of the night, the crowd is beaming with renewed excitement, and the strobe lights of the venue accentuate the dark but vibrant energy that fills the town hall. Chants of “Palace” are started by a small group in the back, and it quickly turns into a venue-wide chant as they prepare their next song. It is a moment so special I cannot begin to replicate with words as all of us are united in our appreciation of Palace and their music, alongside the artistry and thought behind the lighting design and lyrics.

Even after they leave the stage to close the night, the audience remains adamant in their return for one final song. Palace, the ever-so-giving band, honour our requests by stepping onto the stage with their encore song: ‘Veins’. For their final song, they bring on a special guest, Ben, the guitar tech. On stage, Palace’s own guitarist, Rupert Turner, Wyndham, and Ben share a moment as they riff off with their instruments in a great show of how passion bleeds into talent seamlessly. Each band member, including Matt Hodges on drums and Harry Deacon on bass, gets a moment to showcase their inspiring talents. The emotional connection between each band member is so raw and vulnerable as they casually bounce off each other with practised ease, turning this concert into something more than just watching a band play live. With their vulnerability, they show how precious music is for each of them and how passion is communicated through music and cultivated with an inspiring community.

★★★★★