Last Saturday, one of Jacksonville’s newest venues, Decca Live, hosted an electrifying night of rock music as part of Palaye Royale's Death or Glory North American Tour. The evening featured diverse performances by openers Rock and Skate, who got tacked onto six shows, and YouTuber-turned-musician Johnnie Guilbert, culminating in an unforgettable headlining set by Palaye Royale.
The night kicked off with Rock and Skate who impressed with their short, four-song set. Their high-energy performance, with its choreographed rotations between band members taking center stage, certainly captivated the audience as each of the three brothers on guitar and bass took their moment in the spotlight. Vocalist Ashlyn Kirtner impressed with her range and power, particularly in their final song, “Chemical.” Rock and Skate commanded the stage and held the confidence of musicians with much more experience. They are certainly a band to keep an eye on.
Next up was Johnnie Guilbert, who seemingly catered to the younger portion of the audience. While his emo aesthetic matched that of the band he was headlining for, the talent was not quite up to par, relying heavily on backing tracks throughout his set. Still, the fans cheered him on and couldn’t get enough of the crowd interaction, which is something to be said for.
Finally, Palaye Royale took to the stage and the energy at Decca Live reached its peak. Known for their dynamic performances, high energy, and flair for the dramatic, Palaye Royale did not disappoint. Opening with "Death or Glory," the band captured everyone’s attention. The first half of the set it seemed as though the band meant only business–they performed their songs with minimal breaks in between and crowd engagement primarily coming from guitarist Sebastian Danzig. But in the latter half there was a tangible shift, with cheeky smiles and bits of personality showing through from frontman Remington Leith.
The setlist included fan favorites such as "No Love in LA," “Just My Type,” and "Dying In A Hot Tub" each delivered with the utmost energy and passion. "Dark Side of the Silver Spoon,” a hit off their most recent album and the very album for which the tour is named after, was a highlight of the night, perhaps coming in just behind long-time fan-favorite and setlist closer, “Mr. Doctor Man.” Of course, it wouldn’t be a Palaye Royale show without Leith running across the bar, up to the second floor, and hanging from the guardrail. The band's stage presence was magnetic, leaving every person in the crowd satisfied.
The Death Or Glory Tour stop at Decca Live was a resounding success. Each act brought something unique to the stage, creating a well-rounded and exciting lineup. Given that Palaye Royale recently played to a much larger audience at Wembley Arena, it was a special night for folks in the audience to experience such an intimate show at a 1000-cap club venue. Whether a small club venue or an arena, Palaye Royale will give the show their all, solidifying their reputation as a must-see live act and setting the bar extremely high for any other bands booking Decca Live, which opened its doors just over a month ago.
The Death Or Glory North American Tour continues for one more week in the Southwest. The band has mentioned that this will be the final touring cycle for this album, so be sure to catch them if you can.
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