Rhys Heal
March 21, 2025| Liam True |LIVE REVIEW
Live Review: RØRY, As December Falls and Lake Malice | Tramshed, Cardiff | 04/03/2025
On her first headline tour since the release of her debut album Restoration, RØRY takes the UK by storm on a deeply emotional crash course journey, playing to an almost sold out crowd in the Welsh capital.
Lake Malice
Brighton’s newest and loudest export are first on stage tonight, and seeing as it’s only show two of the 8-day UK jaunt, they bring the energy to the forefront. Opener song ‘Blossom’ doesn’t have the crowd not moving as such, but there’s certainly heads turning and necks bobbing as vocalist Alice Guala’s vocals are probably not what most people here were expected to be greeted by. Her screams and growls contort around her clean vocals, prompting either smiles or scowls, or even both in a nod of approval by the crowded venue.
Few can deny they have fun in what they do when ‘Mitsuko’ see’s guitarist Blake Cornwall get to the centre of the crowd as Guala calls for, not a circle pit around Cornwall, but in fact, a conga pit. As the song finishes, you can see Guala beaming with happiness and Cornwall shouts ‘Fuck yeah. Cardiff!’ as he high-fives people on his way back to the stage, where the newest single, ‘Scatterbrain’ almost missed its mark to kick off, as a security guard thinking Cornwall must be a crowd member jumping on stage, continues to grab hold of him and pry him off the stage. Taking it in his stride, he shrugs it off and the band explode through the set with circle pits in tow, as if nothing happened. As the last song ‘Bloodbath’ ends, Guala & co. take a picture with the crowd as they take their leave to a cheering crowd.
Lake Malice
As December Falls
As the lights fade from bright white to a murky dark blue, over the PA the crowd are greeted with ‘Baddadan’ in its entire length, before a siren is sounded, the venue goes black and As December Falls take the stage to an almighty roar from the crowd as they launch into ‘Ride’. Vocalist Bethany Curtis, while drowned in the mix by the overwhelming guitars, does cut through to pierce your ears with her wonderful soaring vocals.
Guitarists Timmy Francis & Kieran Hagarty power through the pop-punk riffs and are weaving past Curtis on the tightly packed stage while singing to the audience themselves. ‘I Don’t Feel Like Feeling Great’ is eaten by the crowd who are either dancing off to the sides or pitting in the middle of the venue at the behest of Curtis as she smiles and dances around so elegantly herself. As December Falls aren’t immune to any faux pas either, as at the end of ‘Mayday’, Francis’ guitar strap breaks forcing him to crouch until he gets it replaced as he banters with the crowd.
By the end of their 7-song set, ‘Carousel’ is the finishing touch on an almost perfect set by the band. Drummer Ande Hunter is crammed to the side of the stage, but still gives a sterling performance, albeit hidden. If there weren’t any fans coming into the gig tonight, they’ve certainly left with a change of mind.
RØRY
And now, the main event of the evening. The main reason the entire tour is at a near sell out. While RØRY has been about for some time, dating back to a few features in 2014 under her full name, she’s had some personal issues that have just held her back. But now it’s 2025. She’s got her debut record out that was released independently through her label SADCØRE, and it landed in the top 10 charts straight away. So you could say that a lot of hard work has paid off.
RØRY emerges to a deafening scream from the crowd, flying straight into ‘In The Bible’. Fitting as the backdrop for the tour are three church-like stained-glass windows. After the second song, ‘If Pain Could Talk, What Would It Say?’ She stands front and centre, taking in the sell-out crowd, exclaiming ‘Is now a good time to tell you I’m half Welsh?’ followed by the crowd roaring with pride and RØRY herself laughing and cheering them back.
From this point, the room is in the palms of, not just Rory, but her whole band. Drummer Becca Robinson hidden by the smoke onstage is laser precise keeping the tempo of the band. Guitarist Charlie Manning, while very quiet in the mix, provides backing vocals that Robinson helps with creating a flourishing yarn of intense vocal gravitas. Bassist/keyboardist Pete Daynes keeps us on our toes as he’s back and forth the keyboard posted next to Robinson or the front of the stage with his rich bass tone crushing through RØRY performance.
RØRY‘s performance tonight is an intense exorcism of the past troubles and forgiveness she’s been through. While she does joke and talk with the fans, even wishing a fan happy birthday, she’s straight back to business when needed of her. The performance isn’t only restricted to the stage as she also takes to the balcony where members of her family are. RØRY jokes, ‘You’ve not seen me in so long, and now you’re going to see my arse!’ Performing ‘One Drink Away’ & ‘The Apology I’ll Never Receive’ with Manning backing her with acoustic guitar, a beautiful moment. Bethany Curtis makes another appearance tonight for ‘My Funeral Song’ as they both embrace and dance together.
From this performance you can tell RØRY is incredibly grateful and loving of her fans as she’s telling us how much the love and support has got her through the writing of her album, and through a few points in the set she looks like she’s going to break down into happy tears. The final stop of the night, ‘BLOSSOM’ is the cherry on top as the crowd are singing almost as loud as RØRY herself. As the room empties and the dust clears, RØRY and co. have performed like few can, with honesty, emotion and their heart firmly on their sleeve.
