Pale Waves front woman Heather Von Baron-Gracie knows how to win a crowd over. Taking a pride flag from a teenager who can’t be older than fifteen, she finishes her song ‘Wish You Were Here’ with one last strum of her bright neon electric guitar and says dryly to a stage of awe-struck fans, thank you. The Manchester four-member outfit dress as if emo never died and have the theatrics to go along with the subculture. Multiple times throughout the night Heather sinks to her knees, guitar in hand and drops to the floor, back to back with her fellow guitarist. 

 

Regrettably for old fans, foundationally for new fans, Pale Waves have gone viral on TikTok for their fun but edgy sound. The song ‘She’s My Religion’ has been anthemic for many young LGBT teenagers who revel in the simplicity of an LGBT love song. This fanbase was in action, screaming the lyrics and crying along at a gig with an all-ages sober section on the main stage. However, as TN2’s savviest music journalist with the most neck, I can tell you that the view of the performers from the upstairs V.I.P. section was mighty fine. 

 

Although the songs from their sophomore album, Who Am I? felt too cleanly produced in comparison to their earlier grunge-inspired album, My Mind Makes Noises, Pale Wave’s leaping energy and bops of rebellious moody joy make up for the formulaic pop-rock that can be tiresome when experienced as an album format. When listening to Pale Waves, I was struck by their similarities to earlier 00’s pop emo bands such as The Pretty Reckless or even Avril Lavigne. Along with pop-punk revivalists Machine Gun Kelly, YUNGBLUD, and Willow, Pale Waves are earnestly making the genre uncool and popular again. 

 

With charisma, boundless energy, and equipped with eyeliner almost as bold as her confidence, Pale Waves have a future that should see them selling out stadiums. With a plethora of guitars, sickening riffs, and the audience eating out of her hand, this was the best stage presence I’ve witnessed since before the pandemic.