22 Sep

20:30

Bitterzoet

Spuistraat 2, Amsterdam

Manchester quartet Pale Waves performs, showcasing their move from indie-pop to a harder, alternative sound influenced by 2000s pop-punk and 90s rock.

Pale Waves

More info & tickets

Pale Waves is a Manchester quartet consisting of Heather Baron-Gracie, Ciara Doran, and Charlie Wood.

While their debut 'My Mind Makes Noises' was rooted in indie and synth-pop, the band moves toward a harder, alternative sound on the album 'Unwanted'. The thirteen tracks combine the rhythmic drive of 2000s pop-punk with the raw energy of 90s rock bands. The lyrics explore darker emotions and personal growth regarding queer identity. Drawing from influences like Garbage and Paramore, the group opts for a direct sound full of guitars and a defiant attitude.

Frontwoman Heather Baron-Gracie is openly gay and has become a prominent queer icon in the indie-rock scene. Many of their songs, such as “She’s My Religion,” explicitly detail same-sex relationships and queer identity, resonating deeply with their LGBTQ+ fanbase.