An Exclusive Evening With Leprous
The Music Station, Madrid, January 16th 2025
By Mónica Moreira
Pictures by Steve Inman
The last time I saw Leprous live was in June 2024, at Comendatio Music Fest, Portugal, where they offered the crowd, as usual, an intense and powerful set. So, why see Leprous again, so soon? Well, the anticipation and excitement to see this “An Exclusive Evening With” format was high, especially with “Melodies Of Atonement” being so well received, and one of my favorites by the Norwegian. Plus, the band posted a few promo videos on social media promising extra-long shows, two sets, big production and good vibes. Who could resist?
The Music Station – built in the old Estación del Norte in Madrid – an open space with standing area and one balcony available for the night, was close to sold-out. The crowd was excited and I noticed people of all ages, Spanish of course and some foreigners too, who travelled on purpose, like me, curious to see what the band was about to present.
At 8:15PM you could feel anxiety building up in the air. People were starting to check their watches, when the first chords of “Silently Walking Alone” hit the speakers. The first minute or so was a bit bumpy, with Einar’s mic experiencing some technical issues, but being the first night of the tour, no one paid much attention.
Many people – including me – for some reason assumed Leprous would build the two part setlist with “Melodies Of Atonement” in its entirety on the first half and then fan favorites and deep cuts in the second half. We were all misled and by our own wishful thinking, I guess! The setlist had 21 songs, was varied, and covered all the band’s studio albums.
By the way, if you hate setlist spoilers please move on towards the last third of this text, right about… now!
“The Price” and “Illuminate” followed and paved the way to one of the highlights of the night: Einar Solberg displaying his voice in all its glory – falsettos and growls – in “I Hear the Sirens” – beautiful moment – and “Like a Sunken Ship”, a clear favorite of the crowd, judging by the number of phones in the air.
“Forced Entry”, “Out of Here”, “Alleviate”, “Distant Bells”, “Foe” and “Nighttime Disguise” completed the first set.
We were given a 15 minute break to let what we had just experienced soak in, but nothing could prepare me for the trio of songs that opened set two…
“Unfree My Soul”, “On Hold” and “Below” were played in a row, with no time to breath or hold tears. At the first chords of “Bellow” you could hear how the crowd was awed by this sequence. The emotional connection is undeniable. What an eargasm! I was by now sure Leprous planned this setlist to the smallest detail.
“Passing” from Tall Poppy Syndrome came next and was a special moment and a surprise for a lot of fans.
“Faceless”, featured in “Melodies Of Atonement” with around 170 fans voices from all over the world was presented here with a much smaller, but enthusiastic fan choir invited by the band through social media, creating an unique moment.
After that, “Castaway Angels” felt a little off. A delicate yet powerful song that for some reason doesn’t quite work live for me.
“From the Flame” and “Slave” closed set two with big cheers from the crowd that after nineteen songs still wanted more.
For the encore Leprous made time for “Atonement” and, of course, “The Sky Is Red”, playing only the second part of the song, on this occasion.
We could feel they enjoyed themselves every second on that stage and that made us enjoy the show even more. Experiences like these are, for me, like oxygen balloons. The minute the show ended I was already thinking about when I could see them again!
Impressive performance, immaculate musicianship, great vibe.
Leprous couldn’t have kicked off this tour in a better way.
Upcoming “An Exclusive Evening with Leprous” shows:
31/01 Great Britain, London – 02 Forum
01/02 Poland, Warsaw – Progreja
07/02 The Netherlands, Tilburg – Poppodium 013
08/02 Germany, Cologne – Carlswerk
15/02 Norway, Oslo – Sentrum Scene
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