Pale Waves: The Distinctive style which has bewitched a generation.

When Matty Healy, the creative entrepreneur behind the 1975, can’t stop talking about a band, you know they are destined for big things. Dressed head-to-toe in velvet, Pale Waves dominated the front cover of DIY’s class of 2018 issue. Last year, only die hard fans were captivated by the emotionally driven band, but the success created from their unique character means they are now on every publications radar. An Indie-Pop Four- Piece, who have grown from their humble roots in Manchester, are the band that scream: “The poster on your bedroom wall.” Their individual style gives you a character, something that is lacking from the recycled image many artists choose to take up. With the social media boom, we would be surprised is you haven’t seen this band before, maybe without recognising who it is.

At the NME Awards in 2018, the band took home the ‘Under The Radar’ Award, the ones to watch. The bands music is vocally sound and can appeal to a variety of listeners. But just how much has their style propelled their career?

This year, we saw Pale Waves take critics tip-offs as the ones to watch... Their image was front cover perfection, with the dark vibe of the band standing out against a plain white background. What is so special about the band is that they’ve thrown two styles together in a way which shouldn’t work. But it just does. While the girls in the band (Lead Singer Heather Baron-Gracie and Drummer Ciara Doran) scream your dream Gothic style, sporting black lace and vampire-esc makeup, the boys hold the typical Indie flair. “You couldn’t dress Hugo and Charlie up as Goths because it just wouldn’t work.” Heather explained to the NME in 2017. And this is the exact truth. We’ve seen bands before where the lead singer has a different focus to the rest of the band, but this complete mixture of style makes the group even more eye catching.

Formed through University, Heather found Ciara via social media, which seems to be becoming an ever- more popular way of forming bands. While performing under a different name, they met the boys and formed ‘Pale Waves,’ a ensemble who could play in front of 7,000 people in Phoenix, an enchant each and everyone one of them.

When describing their music, it can only be expressed as a complete surprise. Leave your expectations at the door, as you are propelled into the magical sound, which doesn’t really fit the image. Turning 80s Funk Pop into something new and cool, the emotional lyrics become attached to melodic tunes.

Heather is originally from Preston and admits that her fashion sense was not always accepted. She explains that while she doesn’t really see her sense of style, people often say she’s a Goth and assume she’s in a heavy metal band. ‘I don’t know, maybe I am a Goth.’ While the band are aware of their difference in style and outfit choices, they certainly do not see it as something that defines them. In terms of their audience this couldn’t seem further from the truth, as they’ve captured the look almost instantly. Focusing on a Pale Waves crowd, you find this mixture of Emo kids, dressed completely in black, along with the more casual looking Indie crowd. It soon becomes obvious that their style has helped them attract a select audience to their ‘Pop’ sound. Heather is not quiet about her love for the cure, noting them as her biggest inspiration, and this is so clearly seen in her style, as well as the style adopted by the people allured by them.

Fast forward to Spring 2018, as Pale Waves gear up for festival season. While there are arguments as to whether style is as important as the music, it seems as though to Pale Waves fans their style has driven a sub-culture following. Heather explained in 2017’s NME: “I keep seeing girls dressed like me, they ask me makeup advice. Like I’m not even good at makeup!” The obsession to look like the distinctive Lead Singer is confirmed by the amount of YouTube videos titled “How to recreate Pale Waves makeup.”

While their emotionally set album will not hit until next year, their cinematic EP gives us a taste of what to come. Whether style is as significant to the band as it is to their Fan base, it can’t be denied it has helped them find their own place within the industry and there’s no doubt they will cover bedroom walls.

Introducing your new favourite band…

Pale Waves play Heaven, London on 24th May 2018.

Check out Pale waves on Spotify

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