Pale Waves, Hot Milk and Bitters Celebrate UK Rock and Inclusivity at Nottingham Rock City [Photos]

Manchester indie band Pale Waves hold a very special place in the hearts of their fans. For these fans, Pale Waves gigs are much more than just gigs, they’re a safe space where everyone, regardless of gender, sexuality or lifestyle choice, can feel part of a unique community. On a Sunday night in Nottingham, our photographer joined the masses at Rock City in Nottingham and brought back this gallery of images.

Joining Pale Waves on the tour were up-and-comers Bitters and Hot Milk. The former kicked off the night and, despite only a short time on stage, showed why they’re rapidly building a nice reputation while the latter put on the kind of energetic set which has already earned them much deserved and highly prestigious slots at Download Festival Pilot and Reading/Leeds Festival in the last 12 months.

Fronted by Heather Baron Gracie, the headliners are a band who can do no wrong. Touring in support of their Who Am I? album, the band treated fans to seven tracks from the album including opener “Change” along with “Wish U Were Here” and “Odd Ones Out.”

A vocal member of the LGBTQ+ community, Baron Gracie may air a shy, reserved persona but, make no mistake, the vocalist is very much held in iconic status by Pale Waves’ fiercely loyal fanbase. Whether the fans are singing their hearts out to tracks like “Kiss” or soaking up a new track “Jealousy,” they’re hanging off her every word. In return, Heather and her band create a safe community experience for these fans to be part of.

Tonight showed that, championed by bands like hot milk and Bitters, the shifting attitudes spreading throughout the UK rock scene is making it a very exciting place to be and, with Heather and Pale Waves leading the charge from the front, this community looks to be in very safe hands.

Pale Waves Set List:

1. Change
2. Television Romance
3. Eighteen
4. Tomorrow
5. Fall To Peices
6. One More Time
7. Wish U Were Here
8. Kiss
9. Odd One Out
10. Jealousy
11. Red
12. My Obsession
13. The Tide
14. Easy
15. She’s My Religion
16. There’s A Honey