Back on tour following a 6 year performance hiatus, Maribou State’s return is made all the more special by selling out a hattrick of shows at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace, with the duo adding an extra date due to the demand of their original 2 announced dates. Tonight sees support from United Freedom Collective on the UK leg of their tour, who bring a great energy to the crowd with their psychedelic, jazzy dance sounds.
Chris Davids and Liam Ivory look ecstatic to be back performing again following substantial setbacks last year. Davids was diagnosed with a brain condition which he made the difficult decision to get an operation for in November 2023. Plans to get back to releasing and touring in 2024 were later postponed by a few months when Chris’s recovery didn’t go as planned, leaving Maribou State with a completed third album which was shelved until the time was right.
The duo returned with new single ‘Otherside’ in October 2024 following a DJ set at Lost Village Festival, before their aforementioned 3rd studio album, Halucinating Love, arrived last month in January 2025.
This album was created in the midst of the darkest times for the duo but still oozes euphoric dance and alternative sounds, translated excellently to tonight’s stage, where they are joined by a string and brass section, a choir, percussionist/bassist and drummer. This wasn’t all for the set up, with Liam performing on a piano for the soothing sounds of 2018 track ‘Beginner’s Luck’.
Vocalist and frequent collaborator Holly Walker graces the stage initially to sing ‘Otherside’ and remains there for another couple of tracks. Maribou State then welcome talented London based singer, songwriter and producer Tallulah Ruby on stage before the two guests tag-team on vocals for the rest of the gig.
The staging is excellent and the lighting mirrors Hallucinating Love themes of orange and red colours throughout the night as a clever use of screens displays the blur of the fast moving car from the cover art. As the night nears its climax, the duo perform an exceptional version of ‘Vale’ to mark a huge contrast between soft and explosive sounds; with an impressive amount of control displayed by all the musicians during these quick transitions.
Maribou State gave us everything tonight from chill vibes, to haunting vocals and even transformed Ally Pally into an underground rave for a couple of tracks; the only thing missing was the sunshine.
imagery: Sam Neill
