We drag ourselves away from the simmering spring sunset to go down in the Dust cellar to find DB Cooper, who it turns out are a gang of familiar faces including members of Currls and Ladylike. A soaring Jaguar guitar part leads the classic Shoegaze charge. We will look out for this band in future.
Without much fuss Pale Blue Eyes shout out “We love Brighton, we’re so happy to be here” and launch into ‘Scrolling’.
Over three wonderful albums they’ve not really stayed from their formula but why bother? Take some classic Cure melodies and put them over driving rhythms. While Bddrmm might be getting the recognition, arguably Pale Blue Eyes do it better.
‘Honeybear’ draws a massive scream from the crowd and front man Matthew, looks so happy he could burst. The song itself could have sat happily on ‘Nowhere’. This is no small compliment from a writer who would always include the Ride debut early on in a list of all time favourite albums.
‘Under a Northern Sky’ is anything but grey and relentlessly dull and overbearing; it’s a rolling wall of beauty. Sheffield must have changed quite a bit since we last walked home on the Nether Edge cross roads.
Three quarters of the way through, just as we find a touch of doubt and question whether there is enough edge for our Iggy loving filthy heart, suddenly we are lost in the swirl of the music as it builds and builds. It breaks down for a moment of quiet before four taps on Lucy’s cymbal and it truly explodes. We find ourselves whooping and hollering. During this symphony of sound ‘The Dreamer’ become ‘Motionless’ in a motorik whirr. The run of tracks end to a rapturous reception.
‘Sister’ from 2023’s ‘This House’ then soars in a gust of Slowdive beauty taking our hearts with it.
“You Brighton legends. Thank you for supporting us. Thank you for supporting live music.”
Pale Blue Eyes Dust 11/4/25
Well; thank you Pale Blue Eyes for making that intolerably long journey on a Friday to grace us with your beauty again. Brighton loves you too.
‘Half Light’ brings the night to a tremolo laden close before we spill out into the night with smiles on our faces.
Dust – April 9th
Words: Nick McAllister
Photos: Sara-Louise Bowery
