With the immenent release of their third studio album Kindess Is The New Rock and Roll, the announcement of Peace’s new tour was something I knew I had to attend, having not seen the band live since 2015 when second album Happy People was merely beginning to rear its head as the iconic indie album we now know it to be. This was my first time at the o2 Forum which I now know to be a stunning and intimate venue, and the first time I’ve ever attended a gig solo, which in itself I see to be an achievement, and I could not have asked for a better band to experience that with.
I cannot review this night without giving a huge shoutout to Irish support whenyoung. This three-piece got the crowd extremely hyped up as we anticipated the entrance of Peace, with lead singer and bass player Aoife Power giving huge Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice vibes with her confident singing. One thing I found refreshing about whenyoung’s performance was their undeniable chemistry, all three of them making unyielding eye contact with each other throughout their playing, giving smiles and nods of encouragement to each other, with both Aoife and guitarist Niall Burns facing each other in very close proximity as they jammed out each of their wonderful tunes; definite highlights being their two singles ‘Collecter’ and ‘Pretty Pure’.
9.15pm came around and the lights went down, the crowd going into nothing short of excited hysterics. I had placed myself only 4 or 5 people deep from the stage and was centered for frontman Harrison Koisser to make his appearance. The crowd only got more excited when we all realised that Peace were treating us to fan favourite ‘1998’ as the first song. Not only do the band not always include this in their setlists, but to open with it is an even rarer treat. The crowd went absolutely mental as the song kicked in, pushing and screaming with all of their might (much to the terror of me gigging solo lol). Even with this power struggle to keep myself standing amongst the hysteric reaction to ‘1998’, I couldn’t help but feel equally as excitable for the set ahead.
The band transitioned straight from old to new, launching straight into ‘Power’ as the second song, equally as well executed as ‘1998’ and equally well received by the still wildness of the adoring crowd. The melting together of old and new was only set to continue with songs ‘Silverlined’, ‘Wraith’ and ‘Shotgun Hallelujah’ amongst others coming in quick succession. The band had clearly stepped up production with this tour, Harry K and Douglas Castle switching back and forth between their unimaginable collection of guitars for each song, and the show put on by the lights and smoke showed their progression into mainstream stardom, creating an entire spectacle for the audience.
Harry treated the crowd at ten songs into the setlist with a one-verse cover of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ which united the crowd as we all sang along. The frontman joked after singing only a small section of the song ‘can we maybe do it in time boys?’, teasing his fellow band members, giving us a genuine look at the personality of the members.
The performance picked up the pace again as we were treated to the oldie but goldie ‘Higher Than The Sun’ and an emotional performance of new tune ‘Magnificent’, with Harry emotionally whaling ‘don’t give up on me just yet’. Next was what I myself had really been anticipating, and when Harry picked up his Les Paul, I knew it would be time for my favourite of the new album ‘You Don’t Walk Away From Love’, in all its riffing glory. I felt like the setlist was written for me as my new favourite was swiftly followed by my old favourite ‘California Daze’ which sent the crowd into a calm lull as we all screamed the lyrics out and everyone just swayed along to the dreamy melody.
After another new track ‘ From Under Liquid Glass’, it was time for the classic gig encore. Whilst drums, bass and guitar all left the stage, Harry surprisingly stayed put; ‘I normally go off too and wait for you to shout for more, but we’re running low on time, so the others are gonna go have a jaeger b’, joked the charming frontman. With this time crunch in mind, Harry instead decided to do a solo performance of delicate tune ‘Float Forever’, which, much like ‘California Daze’, transfixed the crowd. Next, and my personal highlight, came Harry’s admission that whilst they don’t always play standout track from their second record ‘World Pleasure’ on this tour, he had received a message off a fan who had confessed how much this song meant to them, so with that explained and Harry then announcing ‘this is for you baby’, he launched into it, at a much slower pace than the original.
It was assumed by myself and I think the crowd in general that this was going to be an entirely solo performance again, but much to our delight, as the song was beginning to reach the climax and indeed that insane bass solo, the rest of the band members slowly made their way on stage, took their position, and all at once joined forces for the latter half of the song, bassist Sam Koisser delivering on the bass solo we all so desperately wanted. This was a definite highlight for me because what started as a slow solo performance slowly built up to the final union of the whole band, seamless and frankly mesmerising to see.
After the classic and pinnacle of Peace tune ‘Lovesick’ was confidently bashed out, they’ve certainly played this one more times than they can probably remember, there was only two songs left of this monumental 21 song setlist. Of course, with this being the tour of the new album primarily, it was only right to begin the closure of the gig with the album title ‘Kindness Is The New Rock and Roll’, in which Harry took to a piano for the one and only time of the set, proclaiming shyly that he had only learnt the instrument during the making of this third record. This message is clearly an important message for the band to convey to their mostly young and impressionable audience, and is a beautiful dip in pace, before the inevitable ending to any Peace gig, ‘Bloodshake’.
I honestly don’t think it would be right for ‘Bloodshake’ not to end any of their shows, and this punchy performance of it reminded us all why that is, as the last hoorah of the band, who must be exhausted after such an energetic set. It inevitably makes the crowd go crazy and rightfully so. The song reaches its close and the atmosphere is amazing as we all band together to cheer and wave goodbye to these gods of gigging. Sweaty and with beaming smiles, all four members left the stage and thanked the audience with great sincerity.
It’s been a while since I have seen a band with their audience so much at their fingertips that every song on the setlist conjured just as much energy and enthusiasm as the last. You might leave a Peace gig sweaty and exhausted, but you’ll also leave with an immense appreciation for the talent and coherence of this four-piece, and a song or two stuck in your head for weeks after. An outstanding show, well done boys.
H x
I cannot review this night without giving a huge shoutout to Irish support whenyoung. This three-piece got the crowd extremely hyped up as we anticipated the entrance of Peace, with lead singer and bass player Aoife Power giving huge Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice vibes with her confident singing. One thing I found refreshing about whenyoung’s performance was their undeniable chemistry, all three of them making unyielding eye contact with each other throughout their playing, giving smiles and nods of encouragement to each other, with both Aoife and guitarist Niall Burns facing each other in very close proximity as they jammed out each of their wonderful tunes; definite highlights being their two singles ‘Collecter’ and ‘Pretty Pure’.
9.15pm came around and the lights went down, the crowd going into nothing short of excited hysterics. I had placed myself only 4 or 5 people deep from the stage and was centered for frontman Harrison Koisser to make his appearance. The crowd only got more excited when we all realised that Peace were treating us to fan favourite ‘1998’ as the first song. Not only do the band not always include this in their setlists, but to open with it is an even rarer treat. The crowd went absolutely mental as the song kicked in, pushing and screaming with all of their might (much to the terror of me gigging solo lol). Even with this power struggle to keep myself standing amongst the hysteric reaction to ‘1998’, I couldn’t help but feel equally as excitable for the set ahead.
The band transitioned straight from old to new, launching straight into ‘Power’ as the second song, equally as well executed as ‘1998’ and equally well received by the still wildness of the adoring crowd. The melting together of old and new was only set to continue with songs ‘Silverlined’, ‘Wraith’ and ‘Shotgun Hallelujah’ amongst others coming in quick succession. The band had clearly stepped up production with this tour, Harry K and Douglas Castle switching back and forth between their unimaginable collection of guitars for each song, and the show put on by the lights and smoke showed their progression into mainstream stardom, creating an entire spectacle for the audience.
Harry treated the crowd at ten songs into the setlist with a one-verse cover of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ which united the crowd as we all sang along. The frontman joked after singing only a small section of the song ‘can we maybe do it in time boys?’, teasing his fellow band members, giving us a genuine look at the personality of the members.
The performance picked up the pace again as we were treated to the oldie but goldie ‘Higher Than The Sun’ and an emotional performance of new tune ‘Magnificent’, with Harry emotionally whaling ‘don’t give up on me just yet’. Next was what I myself had really been anticipating, and when Harry picked up his Les Paul, I knew it would be time for my favourite of the new album ‘You Don’t Walk Away From Love’, in all its riffing glory. I felt like the setlist was written for me as my new favourite was swiftly followed by my old favourite ‘California Daze’ which sent the crowd into a calm lull as we all screamed the lyrics out and everyone just swayed along to the dreamy melody.
After another new track ‘ From Under Liquid Glass’, it was time for the classic gig encore. Whilst drums, bass and guitar all left the stage, Harry surprisingly stayed put; ‘I normally go off too and wait for you to shout for more, but we’re running low on time, so the others are gonna go have a jaeger b’, joked the charming frontman. With this time crunch in mind, Harry instead decided to do a solo performance of delicate tune ‘Float Forever’, which, much like ‘California Daze’, transfixed the crowd. Next, and my personal highlight, came Harry’s admission that whilst they don’t always play standout track from their second record ‘World Pleasure’ on this tour, he had received a message off a fan who had confessed how much this song meant to them, so with that explained and Harry then announcing ‘this is for you baby’, he launched into it, at a much slower pace than the original.
It was assumed by myself and I think the crowd in general that this was going to be an entirely solo performance again, but much to our delight, as the song was beginning to reach the climax and indeed that insane bass solo, the rest of the band members slowly made their way on stage, took their position, and all at once joined forces for the latter half of the song, bassist Sam Koisser delivering on the bass solo we all so desperately wanted. This was a definite highlight for me because what started as a slow solo performance slowly built up to the final union of the whole band, seamless and frankly mesmerising to see.
After the classic and pinnacle of Peace tune ‘Lovesick’ was confidently bashed out, they’ve certainly played this one more times than they can probably remember, there was only two songs left of this monumental 21 song setlist. Of course, with this being the tour of the new album primarily, it was only right to begin the closure of the gig with the album title ‘Kindness Is The New Rock and Roll’, in which Harry took to a piano for the one and only time of the set, proclaiming shyly that he had only learnt the instrument during the making of this third record. This message is clearly an important message for the band to convey to their mostly young and impressionable audience, and is a beautiful dip in pace, before the inevitable ending to any Peace gig, ‘Bloodshake’.
I honestly don’t think it would be right for ‘Bloodshake’ not to end any of their shows, and this punchy performance of it reminded us all why that is, as the last hoorah of the band, who must be exhausted after such an energetic set. It inevitably makes the crowd go crazy and rightfully so. The song reaches its close and the atmosphere is amazing as we all band together to cheer and wave goodbye to these gods of gigging. Sweaty and with beaming smiles, all four members left the stage and thanked the audience with great sincerity.
It’s been a while since I have seen a band with their audience so much at their fingertips that every song on the setlist conjured just as much energy and enthusiasm as the last. You might leave a Peace gig sweaty and exhausted, but you’ll also leave with an immense appreciation for the talent and coherence of this four-piece, and a song or two stuck in your head for weeks after. An outstanding show, well done boys.
H x
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