Palace take to the SWG3 stage in Glasgow
The band captured the audience with ease.
Photo: Isla Kerr
It’s a cold late-November evening in Glasgow, the threat of snow in the air and the winter decidedly setting in. Thankfully though, tonight at SWG3, Palace provide a musical sanctuary with enough warmth to distract from the biting chill outside.
Palace’s latest record, Ultrasound, sees the four-piece continue to build upon their established sound while leaning further into a slower, more atmospheric feeling than heard on previous albums. At tonight’s show, the band seamlessly blend these new songs together with those from their back catalogue, creating a setlist that feels varied yet cohesive; carrying fans along and keeping them in wide-eyed anticipation of what might come next.
After more than a decade together as a band, Palace have developed an incredibly tight live performance, with not a note out of place or a beat missed. Although evidently well-rehearsed, this does not come at the expense of the band’s energy or personality, which stays free and excitable through the duration of the night. This musical performance is heightened by a stunning light show, paired perfectly to the sonic contours of each song, verse, and chorus. These two vital elements play together perfectly, elevating the emotional impact of the lyrics and melodies, creating an atmosphere like that of an arena show.
At points, the band soar into atmospheric jam sessions, with vast reverbs and dreamlike sounds that feel almost post-rock, reminiscent of the likes of Glasgow’s own Mogwai. These instrumental stretches afford frontman Leo Wyndham an opportunity to step away from the mic and fully embrace the music, as the band create a massive, richly textured wall of sound that fills the room. It is in these moments that you get a sense of how vital the live element is to a band like Palace, with the sound on their recordings really coming alive around you.
The high point of the evening comes with fan favourite Live Well, a classic for Palace if ever there was one. As the crowd fill in on vocal duties, barely a single person in the room remains silent, and the adoration that this band enjoy becomes almost tangible within the room. As the band come towards the end of their set, it is clear that they are performing at the top of their game. Not only that, but each member is clearly loving what they do, enjoying tonight as much as their dedicated fans are and showing a powerful degree of gratitude for it.
All photos by Isla Kerr.