Palma Violets are an English band from Lambeth, London. The band formed in 2011, based on the musical partnership of frontmen Samuel Fryer and Chilli Jesson.The band’s musical output is primarily based around the indie rock genre, with some Garage rock and psychedelic influences. Palma Violets’ first single, “Best of Friends”, was voted NME‘s song of the year for 2012, and their debut album 180 was released on 25 February 2013. Much like Arctic Monkeys, the band gained a substantial fan base online before the release of their first single – with multiple live videos of their gigs being uploaded by fans. The band are signed to Rough Trade Records. Palma Violets appeared on the 2013 NME Awards Tour, along with Miles Kane, Django Django and Peace. Since that time they have been heavily promoted by NME and have appeared in numerous magazine editions helping them get the fans and support they need to help them with their growing success. Set to play at Y Not Festival and Leeds/Reading 2014 the boys certainly have their work cut out to please fans with new material.

Two weeks after The Libertines reunion was announced, Palma Violets open our eyes up to a new horizon, and it’s theirs.

I’ve spent most of the day sauntering around various live venues to see a number of acts performing at Live At Leeds but Palma Violets appearance is the first to cause a lengthy queue outside. Just a few days ago the band announced they’d be playing a 9:45pm show at The Faversham, solving the elusive ‘Very Special Guests’ gap left on festival goers timetables.

The setlist:

‘Gout! Gang! Go!’
‘Rattlesnake Highway’
‘Danger In The Club’
‘Tom The Drum’
‘Chicken Dippers’
‘Best Of Friends’
‘Step Up For The Cool Cats’
‘Matador’
‘Johnny Bagga’ Donuts’
’14’
‘Invasion Of The Tribbles’

Palma Violets’ unique and fresh, yet old-school sound explodes into the stage room with clean guitars, sporadic rhythms and the scuzzy, as they kick off with Rattlesnake Highway. Opening the night with new track ”rattlesnake Highway” was possibly the best way to raise the hopes of the sweat dripping fans. The band falling into the crowd before rolling back towards the stage got the crowd 100 per cent hyped and ready for everything ahead.

There’s an undeniable confidence surrounding the band as they buzz with a ferociously intense energy which spreads infectiously, resulting in a chaotic, sweaty, mess of a crowd, jumping endlessly making the floor tremble and shake beneath their feet. Their stage presence one that cannot be described with words.

You can’t argue that, despite the simplistic lyrical genius of “I wanna be your best friend, I don’t want you to be my girl” (because everyone’s bored of those clichéd love songs) that ”Bestfriend was the perfect track to keep the set going. However, never mind the occasional words Palma Violets music is nothing but loud noise- a wonderful loud noise.

As the blood boiling chaos comes to an end and the ear-ringing speakers bring the room to a standstill after ending the set with well known song ”Invasion Of The Tribbles”, the crowd can hear properly again.

Chilli just about got his voice back to welcome fans and without having to ask about the new materials, having all his queries answered by those critical judgemental viewers ready to share their opinions.