Six dates into their Death Or Glory Europe Tour 2024, found Palaye Royale at OVO Arena Wembley, their only UK date announced. Palaye Royale is a band that were more than ready to take the stage as headliners for the first time at the OVO Arena Wembley. Anticipation filled the air as the crowd buzzed with excitement.
Palaye Royale
OVO Arena Wembley – 9 November 2024
Words: Carol Giannattasio
Photography: Ryan Hildrew
Despite its impressive size, the OVO Arena Wembley was afflicted by serious disorganization. Although doors were set to open at 18:00 with the first band scheduled to begin at 18:40, I found myself waiting an hour and a half at the box office, which was still closed at 18:30.
As a result, I missed the entire performance of the first opening band, I See Stars, and arrived just in time to catch the last song of the second opener, The Hunna.
Palaye Royale delivered a dramatic, high-energy performance that was classic ‘them’, blending glam rock and punk influences with a uniquely theatrical edge. They launched into fan favourites like Death Or Glory, You’ll Be Fine, and Just My Type, showcasing their dynamic presence in the rock scene.
Known for merging theatrical and cinematic elements with powerful lyrics, the band explored themes of mental health, relationships, and self-expression in a way that resonated deeply with the crowd.
One of the night’s unforgettable moments arrived during Showbiz when lead singer Remington Leith floated over the crowd in an inflatable raft, moved by the hands of ecstatic fans. Leith’s stage dives are legendary, but this time, he took it to another level, even launching himself from the seating section and ending again in the raft.
Fans lifted him up, creating an exhilarating experience that felt both personal and epic, a perfect lead-up to their explosive final number, Mr. Doctor Man, which brought him back to the stage among roaring cheers.
Other standout moments included an intimate interlude with drummer Emerson Barrett at the piano while Leith sat in the spotlight at the centre of the stage, performing a haunting rendition of Oblivion. Barrett once again switched from drums to bass, bringing a fresh energy to Dead To Me.
In a particularly moving tribute, Leith returned to the piano for Lonely and then dedicated Fever Dream to their late mother, an emotional high point of the evening that visibly moved both band and audience.
Having seen Palaye Royale live twice now, I can say their performances are truly unmatched. Even without knowing every song by heart, their live energy is absolutely captivating. The band is known for their intensely immersive shows, with Leith engaging the crowd at every turn.
Palaye Royale has consistently drawn fans in, not only through their music but through their strong, raw connection with the audience, a quality that makes every performance feel deeply personal and memorable.
The night at Wembley confirmed their place as one of today’s most electrifying live acts.
From the brief part of The Hunna’s set that I managed to witness, it was clear they delivered an impressive, high-energy performance in their short 30-minute slot.
Hot Milk, however, brought a jar of energy to the venue with songs like Horror Show and “I Just Wanna Know What Happens When I’m Dead. Their song Over Your Dead Body struck a chord with its intense sound, lyrics, and emotional depth. Right from the start, Hot Milk worked hard to engage the crowd, filling the arena with a mix of powerful, introspective lyrics and electrifying punk-pop anthems that appealed to fans who thrive on both introspective themes and high-energy beats.
Songs like Breathing Underwater and Bloodstream drew the crowd in with catchy hooks and a rebellious spirit that resonated throughout the arena.
The show briefly paused when someone in the crowd fell ill. Impressively, the lead singer took matters into their own hands, instructing security and even stepping off the stage to hand out glasses of water to the crowd. Thankfully, the incident wasn’t serious, and after a short five-minute break, Hot Milk announced their final song, Glass Spiders.
As the arena lit up with thousands of flashing lights, the anticipation in the crowd intensified as we eagerly awaited the headliner, Palaye Royale.
