The ‘Still Smitten’ tour aims to feature and continue the tour of the bands Smitten album, released in 2024. Having felt their last tour in 2024 was short-lived - visiting only 12 UK cities - the band felt it necessary to do the album justice by touring Smitten a second time.
Pale Waves recent show in Sunderland is bound to get current ticket-holders excited for their upcoming venues on tour. Despite the tour being in its early stages, the setlist has been praised for its well-balanced blend of new and old material, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience for both new and old fans. The setlist included hits from previous albums such as ‘She’s My Religion’, ‘Jealousy’, ‘There’s a honey’ and ‘Change’, while also featuring songs such as ‘Glasgow’, ‘Perfume’, and ‘Not a Love Song’ from their newest album, Smitten. As if that wasn’t enough excitement, lead singer Heather Baron-Gracie announced that in 2 weeks the bands cover of The Cranberries hit ‘Zombie’ will be released.
The indie-rock and pop band set themselves and their sound apart from other artists of the 21st century. While their songs often explore relatable emotions of love, heart break and mental health struggles, Pale Waves sound is both alternative and authentic. Lead singer Heather Baron-Gracie uses powerful lyrics to create an emotional nuance, and buzz that resonates in every song. Giving listeners free rein to feel vulnerable about their real and raw emotions, interpreting their own life experiences to the songs.
Pale Waves have perfected the art of creating music that is both intensely sad and energetically upbeat
Most definitely it can be argued that Pale Waves have perfected the art of creating music that is both intensely sad and energetically upbeat. Baron-Gracie herself said:
“I want to make people dance at our shows and not kinda just cry: they can cry and dance”.
What repeatedly takes new listeners by surprise is the bands gothic look, intentionally creating a striking juxtaposition with their often-bright indie pop sound, adding a compelling layer of personality. Arguably, this is what many newly emerging bands lack - originality.
The bands drummer Ciara Doran confirmed in an interview, when being asked to give her advice for young people getting into music:
“Don’t look at what others are doing or try to replicate or copy what someone else is doing, because it’s never going to be as good as what they’re doing because it’s not coming from within”.
The set’s most distinctive props involve two grand, vintage chandeliers, which often in more dim, moody moments, become the primary light source while the rest of the stage is dark and hazy. Lighting effects change frequently, displaying the variety of emotions delivered throughout the performance, displaying colours such as red, lilac and warm orange tones. There is also a consistent interplay between darkness and illumination, making the performance more exciting and interactive for both intimate and larger audiences. Accompanying this, a theatrical smoke is used to enhance light beams and the intended mood. Overall, the ambience of the show is described as “romantic, delicate and feminine”, remaining refined and stylised.
Having opened for The 1975 on major tours to charting at #8 on UK albums in 2018, Pale Waves’ ‘Still Smitten’ tour is a must see in 2025.