Overmono delivered a jubilant headline set at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday night, blending new material from their sophomore album Pure Devotion with a seemingly endless run of fan favourites. The Welsh electronic duo, known for never missing, showcased why their live shows continue to dominate the dance music space.
New Material Breathes Fresh Life Into Live Set
The arrival of Pure Devotion this year advanced the Overmono sound while retaining the core elements that made it so appealing, spawning a myriad of imitators in the process. At Ally Pally, new tracks brought fresh energy to the performance, starting with fan favourite Gem Lingo (ovr now) – a smooth, well-rounded warm-up track with a pitter-patter heartbeat and synths that swell like strings, anchored by buttery vocals from Ruthven.
The room reached a simmer with Even Angel’s Ghost, one of the duo’s moody collaborations with Kindora, the largely unknown American singer who serves as the beating heart of the brothers’ sound. Her sickly sweet, oft-spliced top lines were on full display.
Early Peak With Gunk and Freedom 2
The signature Overmono moment – when the temperature rises, hoodies are wrapped around waists and beers are hastily drained – came early this time, as track three brought the pulsating arrival of Gunk, the most enduring track from their 2022 Cash Romantic EP. The Nintendo-esque opening of Freedom 2 kept the heat going, with fans locking into one of the most addictive rap verses of the 2020s. Though there was no Kwengface appearance, the first breakbeats of 2021’s So U Kno quickly erased any disappointment.
Slower Tracks and a Triple Whammy
After an interlude, newer material arrived: Ballad and then Mialon, which felt underappreciated due to its slower pace. These slower, sexier tracks – full of R&B vocals and wistful longing – are what make an Overmono set truly sing, though the night could have used more of them (Walk Thru Water, Cold Blooded and Barum were all missing).
Still, another triple whammy followed: Blow Out, If U Ever and Pure Devotion standout Laxbrook, then deeper cuts Bby and Bromley, punctuated by the joyful After The Rain. The crowd caught its breath during Adre before a burst of energy via If We Ever, into Knight in Shining Prada – a modern classic judging by the overwhelming response – then Turn the Page, Lockup and, of course, Good Lies.
The set closed on their masterpiece, a track that truly never gets old, leaving the crowd in pure, unadulterated joy.
