Country outlaw Orville Peck hit Hollywood Palladium this past week to honor his two back-to-back rescheduled shows from the month prior. Orville’s unique sound is a nod to the smooth, classic country, blues and rockabilly sounds of the ’50s and ’60s on the surface — but below, you will discover notes of shoegaze, indie, alternative, and even a little traditional goth tucked between the layers of his music. His look is also like nothing we’ve ever seen before — signature tassels drape over his face, attached to an eye mask of some sort — often with a cowboy hat in tow.
Orville took the stage with his extensive live band, much to my surprise — there were more than I expected. It was clear a few minutes in that these beautiful pieces of the performance truly made it sound better than ever. The sunset backdrop illuminated as Orville and the gang kicked off with “Big Sky,” “Turn To Hate,” and “The Hurtin’ Kind.” He threw in older fan favorites like “Dead Of Night” — though we were a little teary-eyed to have missed “Roses Are Falling.” The stage was filled with an array of vibrant colors, bold lighting and a classic bulb-lit marquee in the background. The atmosphere felt like a western fairytale with visuals of dusk and desert. Orville’s outfit of choice was reflective of Halloween on the horizon — he donned a very fitting skeleton suit and matching mask.
While about half of the songs were from his album Bronco, we were blessed with a few special treats that were exclusive to his second LA show. Country queen Debbii Dawson accompanied Orville on “Back At Your Door” — these harmonies echoed gorgeously throughout the venue, sending chills throughout the audience. Later, we were lucky enough to hear the live debut of “Permanently Lonely,” which could possibly be the only time played live (for now). Just when we didn’t think it could get any better, Noah Cyrus joined Orville at the encore to sing “How Far Will We Take It?” Noah and Orville’s vocals together were pure perfection. The pair’s friendship has been blossoming for years, but seeing them together on stage performing was an unforgettable moment for everyone.
Orville’s vocals were seamless, as expected — but what we loved most about this show was his genuine interaction with his fans. He took moments between songs to discuss many things, both light and heavy. He recalled his recent challenges with mental health as he faced the cards life had dealt him — just like the rest of us. Of course we are so grateful to hear that Orville has been on the upward journey of healing and growth. The night was full of unity and love, something that never fails to make a live show mean so much more to those in attendance. Orville has wrapped the tour since his rescheduled dates, but we cannot wait for him to come back on the road for another night of warmth, joy and raw talent.
GALLERY: Orville Peck at Hollywood Palladium in LA (October 28, 2024)
