There are few London venues that feel as big an occasion as Alexandra Palace. Sitting above the city with its huge, open hall and sweeping views back across London, it always feels like a milestone venue for bands stepping up to arena-sized crowds. The room carries sound well but still somehow keeps an intimacy when the crowd is engaged, and on nights like this, full of black-clad fans, elaborate outfits, full faces of makeup, and anticipation. It feels less like a concert hall and more like a gathering point for a whole community.
Before Motionless in White even hit the stage, the night already had its own strange little moment of unity. While the crowd waited between sets, two groups on the floor started stacking empty plastic cups into towers. Quickly turning it into a friendly competition to see who could build the tallest structure before security inevitably intervened. It became a bizarre pre-show spectacle, with strangers cheering and booing, guarding stacks, and laughing as towers almost collapsed and were then built higher. The kind of silly, spontaneous moment that reminds you how live gigs bring people together in unexpected ways and create lasting memories.
From the start, pits opened, and crowd surfers started flowing toward the barrier almost constantly as the band began their first song “Meltdown”. Among them were a few fans dressed in full banana costumes, somehow managing to stay upright as they sailed overhead. Ridiculous and completely fitting for the chaos of the night. Security barely had time to reset between waves.
Launching into hit after hit, “Sign Of Life”, Thoughts and Prayers” and “Voices” had the crowd joining in, vibrating the large venue with noise. Fan favourites “Werewolf “, “Slaughterhouse”, “Not My Type” and “Rats” had fans screaming the lyrics back at the band and mosh pits opening as the setlist delivered more and more as the night went on.
One of the biggest moments came when the band launched into “City Lights,” marking the first time the track has been played live on a UK tour. A deep cut just for the fans. The reaction was instant, with long-time fans clearly recognising the rarity of the moment and singing every word back at the band.
Later in the set, things shifted emotionally during their newer track “Afraid of the Dark.” A song truely for the fans, Frontman Chris Motionless appeared visibly moved as the crowd sang back sections of the song, taking a moment between lines that felt genuine rather than staged. In a show built on spectacle, heavy drops and theatrical visuals, it was a quieter moment that stuck. Everyone in the room locked in and just feeling the moment.
Finishing the night off with “Another Life” and then ending with “Eternally Yours”, the band had the crowd singing their hearts out, along with the dance group The Cherry Bombs, throwing out roses to the crowd in a show of love.
By the end, people were leaving sweaty, hoarse, picking up their lost items from the floor and grinning. The usual signs of a great night. Between silly cup-tower battles, banana-suited surfers, and huge singalongs, it felt less like just another tour stop and more like one of those gigs people will still be talking about months later.
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Words and photography by Amy Showell and Haylea Allison.
Broken Static Magazine 
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