Within minutes of Palma Violets taking the stage at Baby’s All Right on Monday night, kicking into opening number “Rattlesnake Highway,” the band were pelted with beer. They took it very much in stride and used it as fuel to kick the song into a fierce gear that set the tone for the rest of the evening. This was one of the wildest shows of the very early year, a point made even more clear within the first two songs when one of the ceiling sound absorbers was knocked off and was dangling above right near my head until the bands tour members and venue workers eventually took it completely off.
The last time I saw Palma Violets was at the main stage at Lollapalooza, but this show reminded me of their first New York City shows at Shea Stadium and Glasslands.
The British band made their return to New York in early support of their new album Danger In The Club, set for release via Rough Trade Records on May 5. Although, aside from the thumping title track and lead single “Danger In The Club” and two new songs (“On The Beach” & “Rat Way Rock” – not on the album, maybe a b-side), Palma Violets played all of their debut album 180, minus “Chicken Dippers” and “Three Stars.”
Their manager Milo Ross came on stage to play harmonica on “Danger In The Club,” which blended in quite well within the rest of the set. The band seem to have used their brief time away from the live circuit to reenergize, as they delivered a rowdy energetic performance that had the crowd moving from start to finish, belting all the words in a drunk stupor. Bassist/singer Chili Jesson was constanltly moving on stage, interacting with fans, and climbing into the crowd for some crowd-surfing. The rest of the group were a bit more grounded, but still delivered all the punch necessary to bring their sound to life. I was surprised that “Best Of Friends” was placed in the middle of the setlist, but it’s arrival sent the crowd into a crazy state that carried on until the very end.
I live for the sort of shows where you lose yourself within the crowd, singing along, batting away the sweat and beer along the way. Palma Violets are meant to be seen in tiny clubs where you can get as close to the band as possible, making Baby’s All Right the perfect place for them. Some larger venues are in store for them once they return for a proper US tour for Danger In The Club, but as long as the crowd and band can find that same energy, their shows will still be some of the most fun you’ll have all year.
Before the show I had the pleasure of interviewing Chilli. Be on the lookout for that, it’s coming soon. Find more photos of the show posted below, along with openers Cerebal Ballzy.
Palma Violets Setlist:
1. Rattlesnake Highway
2. Danger In The Club
3. All the Garden Birds
4. Girl, You Couldn’t Do Much Better (On the Beach)
5. Tom the Drum
6. Best Of Friends
7. Step Up for the Cool Cats
8. We Found Love
9. Last of the Summer Wine
10. Johnny Bagga’ Donuts
11. 14
12. Rat Way Rock
Cerebal Ballzy:
Palma Violets:
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