Palace take over an abandoned school for ‘Veins’ video, announce new London show

There’s a touching message to Wild Beasts frontman Hayden Thorpe’s declaration, “This is a palace, and that was a squat”, in the closing song of his band’s latest record. From the outside it sounds like he’s a man who’s finally worked his way into a world of riches. But according to the frontman himself, it refers to time spent in a grubby flat in Hackney, North London. He spelt on a mattress, dealt with damp floors. But he was happy because he shared it with his lover - in reality, anything can be a palace.

A London band of the same name are just beginning to emerge. Last year Palace released a handful of demos that turned heads, but they duly darted back from view and perfected a sound that was truly theirs. New single ‘Veins’ is a strung-out, sweetly-intentioned number that’s as romantic as it is swooning. Even in their new video - premiering on DIY - they choose to remain faceless, but their hearts are visibly on show, here. They also prove - just like Hayden - that any environment can work as a palace. In this case it’s an abandoned school, chairs thrown all over the place, changing rooms a scene of grey nothingness.

Alongside the new video, Palace have just announced a show at London’s St. Pancras Old Church, taking place 15th October. Tickets are on sale here from tomorrow, 23rd July.

Watch Palace’s ‘Veins’ video below.