“Buried yourself alive and expected to be fine.”
A long-anticipated celebration, fans were thrilled when Pvris announced a world tour honouring the 10-year anniversary of their 2015 debut, White Noise. Performing the album from front to back, it was the kind of experience many had dreamt of since its release; a chance to relive the record in full, live. To make the night even more memorable, the band followed the album set with a career-spanning “greatest hits” performance, offering something for every era of Pvris fans, whether a day-one devotee or a newer listener.
We caught Pvris at both their Manchester and London dates. This review reflects the Manchester show, written by Jack, with photography from Kon (@photosbykon) at the London performance.
Juju
The night began with no frills or extended intros, Pvris dove straight into White Noise. From the moment the band stepped on stage, the crowd was captivated. Vocalist Lynn Gunn’s presence was magnetic, and fans hung on her every move. The album’s tracklist translated perfectly to the live setting, with high-energy cuts like “St. Patrick” and the title track drawing explosive reactions. Quieter moments, such as “Holy,” offered a welcome breather, but they were no less impactful, every word sung back to Gunn with devotion. It was clear this wasn’t just nostalgia; this was reverence.
I count myself among those for whom White Noise has been in steady rotation since 2015. A debut that seemingly came out of nowhere, its staying power is undeniable. One particular highlight was “You and I,” a bonus track from the album’s deluxe edition. Gunn introduced it by dedicating the song to “the friends, the partners, the engagements, and the breakups” that had unfolded to its soundtrack. Still a live staple to this day, the track is a masterclass in emotional minimalism, a little on-the-nose lyrically, perhaps, but its resonance with fans speaks for itself.
Julia Wolf
After a short break, and an eerie wall of distorted noise from an onstage prop gramophone, Pvris returned for their “greatest hits” set. A handful of fans slipped out early, presumably uninterested in the band’s more recent material. But for those who stayed, the second set delivered a fresh burst of energy. Opening with “Burn the Witch,” Pvris tore through highlights from across their discography (with the exception of All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell), including “Snakes,” “GOOD ENEMY,” “ANIMAL,” and “Dead Weight.” Gunn was electric, commanding the stage and the crowd with relentless charisma.
Things slowed briefly for “Oil and Water,” introduced as a love song. Bathed in pink lighting, the room took on a softer, more intimate atmosphere, with couples singing to each other and swaying in unison. But this was only a short reprieve; “Monster” quickly reignited the fire, before the band closed out with the euphoric one-two punch of “Hallucinations” and “GODDESS,” the latter dedicated to “the girlies.”
Pvris
While the second set may not have been for everyone, one thing was undeniable: Pvris‘s live presence is sharper and more compelling than ever. White Noise was delivered with the energy of a band that deeply understands the significance of their debut but now performs it with the skill and confidence of seasoned veterans. While the stage setup could’ve benefitted from more elaborate visuals, the emotional and sonic impact of the performance more than made up for it.
Pvris has proven they’re not the band they once were, they’ve evolved, refined, and honed their sound, all the while retaining that essential spark that fans have come to know and love. Having now seen White Noise rejuvinated with such power, we can only hope that All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell gets its own moment in the spotlight when its tenth anniversary comes around.