GRAYSCALE // the joiners, southampton

Nov 27

Grayscale’s Long-Awaited UK Return Bursts Into Full Colour

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

GRAYSCALE AT THE JOINTERS, SOUTHAMPTON
PHOTOCREDIT: **ALIA THOMAS**

It’s been a long time coming, but after a couple of failed attempts over the last few years, Grayscale fans rejoice as the band are finally back in the UK. The American alt-rock quartet are almost at the end of their 9-date run for the UK leg of their Live In Colour tour, and on Tuesday night they brought their music to The Joiners stage in Southampton, along with their brilliant support act, Sick Joy.

The crowd slowly creeped in over the first hour with roughly a third of the space filled for opening act, Sick Joy, to take to the stage. Sick Joy is a solo project from Mykl Barton, but played live with him, he brought along Zac Jackson (also of El Moono) on guitar and Ravi Martin on drums. The self-described ‘noise pop’ artist gave a great performance, and was well-received by the audience, bringing increasing energy to the room as it filled.

Following Sick Joy was a victorious performance from Grayscale. As mentioned earlier, Grayscale fans have been waiting a long time for them to return to the UK and they did not disappoint. With a jam-packed setlist of the perfect mix of old and new songs, fans had their first live hearing of songs off latest album, The Hart, opening with the title intro track followed by ‘Kept Me Alive’ and fan favourite ‘Through The Landslide’. A brilliant, and energising start to the set that just kept giving.

Continuing on with a number of songs off the album, we then proceeded to get a few older songs for those who’ve been following the band for a while. What felt like the beginning of the end of the set was a beautiful rendition of ‘Forever Yours’ which gave a moment to slow down and take a breath, but for too long as the voices of everyone filled the room continuing singing along with vocalist, Collin Walsh. This song felt special, and of course, it was the perfect time for the Joiners to be flooded with phone lights, waving in the air. After this, Walsh shouts into the mic asking if everyone’s ready for some old school Grayscale, by which the response was unanimous, and clear. The party restarted with ‘Palette’ taken from their 2016 What we’re Missing album, followed by ‘Let It Rain’ and ‘Fever Dream’, and as they don’t do encores, ending straight with ‘Atlantic’ and classic Grayscale bop, ‘Not Afraid to Die’ which encouraged the best send off the band could ask for. The audience erupted, shouting the lyrics, moving non-stop, and celebrating a set they’d been waiting a long time for.

Here’s hoping the band have an easier time getting over here for the next tour, whenever that may be, because their UK fans will ready and waiting to welcome them back as soon as they can.