PALE WAVES + EMMMA – CHALK, BRIGHTON 20.10.25
Brighton’s Chalk was packed with fans for Pale Waves’ return to the coast, but it was EMMMA who set the tone for the evening with a performance that felt at the same time both humbly vulnerable but also supremely self-assured. Opening with ‘Burning Bridges’, she immediately drew the crowd into her world — a swirl of emotive alt-pop built on electronic textures and unguarded lyricism. Her voice was a standout: warm, elastic, capable of filling the room without overpowering it. It’s the kind of voice that could suit any genre but feels perfectly at home in her stripped-back, synth-infused sound — think Florence Welch’s early rawness reshaped through a more electronic lens.
Across a set that included ‘Wednesday’s Child’, ‘Russian Roulette’, ‘Whiplash’ and ‘Honey’, EMMMA sang of doomed relationships and quiet resilience. ‘Russian Roulette’ pulsed with restrained intensity, while ‘Honey’ glowed with bittersweet reflection. The songs never tipped into melodrama; instead, they simmered, her minimal arrangements giving space for the words to breathe. Closing with ‘Experiment’ and ‘Cards’, she showed a sense of scope — songs that hinted at growth, confidence and a widening sonic ambition. It was a poised, quietly captivating opening performance that made clear she’s an artist to watch.
EMMMA setlist:
‘Burning Bridges’ (from 2025 ‘Wednesday’s Child’ EP)
‘Wednesday’s Child’ (from 2025 ‘Wednesday’s Child’ EP)
‘Russia Roulette’ (unreleased)
‘Whiplash’ (from 2025 ‘Wednesday’s Child’ EP)
‘Honey’ (unreleased)
‘When It’s Done’ (unreleased)
‘Experiment’ (unreleased)
‘Cards’ (from 2025 ‘Wednesday’s Child’ EP)
When Pale Waves’ took the stage, the mood shifted instantly from introspection to euphoria. Launching into ‘Perfume’ and ‘Not A Love Song’, the Manchester quartet brought a rush of energy that enveloped the venue. Heather Baron-Gracie led the charge with fierce charisma, her vocals sharp and emotive over the band’s tight, guitar-driven pop. The crowd surged forward, singing back every line. By ‘Eighteen’ and ‘You’re So Vain’, the atmosphere was electric — a mix of nostalgia and release that only deepened as the night went on.
Mid-set, the band surprised the crowd with a cover of ‘Zombie’, reimagined with their signature shimmer and urgency. It was a bold, powerful moment that showed just how strong their live chemistry has become. ‘There’s A Honey’ and ‘Change’ followed, both met with ecstatic recognition, their hooks echoing long after the final chord.
From there, ‘Miss America’, ‘Red’ and ‘My Obsession’ carried the emotion forward, while ‘Kiss Me Again’, ‘Television Romance’ and ‘Glasgow’ reignited the energy in bursts of bright, melodic intensity.
For the encore, Heather introduced ‘She’s My Religion’ with a grin, and the words, “Hey lesbians, now is your time.” A pride flag was thrown onto the stage; she caught it effortlessly, waved it high, and wrapped it around her shoulders. The song — already a defining moment in the band’s catalogue — became something even more personal, a loud and joyous celebration of queer love that united everyone in the room.
They closed with ‘Jealousy’, delivered with precision and a final surge of adrenaline that left the venue buzzing.
Throughout the night, Pale Waves balanced polish with authenticity. The lighting — deep reds, purples and strobes — mirrored their sound: glossy but never detached, intense, yet full of warmth. Heather’s connection with the audience felt effortless; there was no distance between stage and floor, only shared emotion.
Together, EMMMA and Pale Waves crafted a night of beautiful contrasts. EMMMA opened people’s hearts; Pale Waves reached in and set them alight. It was one of those Brighton nights that felt bigger than the room itself — a celebration of music, queerness and the strange joy of feeling everything all at once.
Pale Waves:
Heather Baron-Gracie – vocals, guitar
Hugo Silvani – guitar
Ciara Doran – drums
Charlie Wood – bass
Pale Waves setlist:
‘Perfume’ (from 2024 ‘Smitten’ album)
‘Not A Love Song’ (from 2024 ‘Smitten’ album)
‘Eighteen’ (from 2018 ‘My Mind Makes Noises’ album)
‘Lies’ (from 2022 ‘Lies’ album)
‘You’re So Vain’ (from 2022 ‘Lies’ album)
‘Zombie’ (The Cranberries cover)
‘There’s A Honey’ (from 2018 ‘My Mind Makes Noises’ album)
‘Change’ (from 2021 ‘Who Am I?’ album)
‘Miss America’ (from 2024 ‘Smitten’ album)
‘Red’ (from 2018 ‘My Mind Makes Noises’ album)
‘My Obsession’ (from 2018 ‘All The Things I’ve Never Said’ EP)
‘Kiss Me Again’ (from 2024 ‘Smitten’ album)
‘Television Romance’ (from 2018 ‘My Mind Makes Noises’ album)
‘Glasgow’ (from 2024 ‘Smitten’ album)
(encore)
‘She’s My Religion’ (from 2021 ‘Who Am I?’ album)
‘Jealousy’ (from 2022 ‘Lies’ album)
