Orville Peck seemed perfectly at home as he concluded his current tour with a two-night stint at the Hollywood Palladium. Originally scheduled for earlier in the month, Peck’s highly anticipated performance had been postponed due to vocal issues. Yet, fans were elated to finally see him take the stage just days before Halloween.
The evening began with two Nashville-based country stars who set the tone for a night of music and revelry. First up was Emily Nenni, delivering an intimate set accompanied only by her acoustic guitar and a second guitarist. Clad in hot pink and white cowboy boots, Nenni entranced the crowd with her sultry twang and soulful ballads, sparking couples to sway beneath the venue’s iconic disco ball. Her standout moment came with “Gates of Hell,” humorously introduced as “a real bummer,” which drew a cheer from a devoted fan in the crowd.
Next, the dynamic outlaw country singer-songwriter Nikki Lane brought an infectious energy that had the audience on their feet. Backed by five skilled bandmates, Lane’s powerful voice roared through the Palladium, seamlessly blending country and rock 'n' roll. She resonated with the Los Angeles crowd when she shared that her first song had been written while stuck in traffic on the 101. In a delightful surprise, she performed an a cappella rendition of the song’s bridge and chorus, prompting the crowd to stomp and clap along—a testament to her magnetic stage presence.
Orville Peck’s entrance was a spectacle: emerging in a wash of indigo light, he wore a skeletal suit that perfectly captured the Halloween spirit. His signature silver mask, adorned with glittery fringe, added an eerie yet glamorous touch. He opened with “Big Sky,” an intimate moment featuring just him and his guitar before the show burst into a full night of honky-tonk revelry with his talented band. Peck wasted no time moving through his setlist, beginning with “Turn to Hate” from his 2019 album Pony, while promising fans they’d hear songs from his more recent albums, Bronco (2022) and Stampede. Declaring three simple rules for his shows—sing, dance, cry—Peck more than delivered during his 21-song performance.
The duet moments were especially captivating. Peck invited Debbii Dawson to the stage, introducing her as “one of the most incredibly talented vocalists ever.” Their collaboration on “Back At Your Door” featured a stunning mix of her soaring soprano and his deep baritone, mesmerizing the audience.
One memorable moment came during “Drive Me, Crazy,” when Peck gave a shoutout to a fan named Joe, a truck driver. The crowd enthusiastically chanted Joe’s name, creating a unique and heartwarming moment that amplified the evening’s charm.
As “Blush” filled the room, the Palladium turned into a dance floor brimming with twirls and do-si-dos. Peck’s call for “all the cowboys” during “Lafayette” brought fans fully into the moment, embracing the spirit of dance and joy.
The biggest surprise of the night was the entrance of pop sensation Noah Cyrus for a duet of “How Far Will We Take It?” Her unexpected appearance sent the crowd into a frenzy, with cowboy hats tossed high in celebration of her powerful vocals.
Peck ended the show with the rousing “Bronco,” transporting the audience back to the Wild West and turning the Palladium into an old-fashioned hootenanny with a modern twist. The emotional high points came with songs like “No Glory in the West” and “Permanently Lonely,” the latter performed live for the first time. But the most poignant moments were found between songs, as Peck candidly shared his journey and the importance of taking time off to focus on his mental health over the past year. His heartfelt expressions of gratitude for his fans’ unwavering support brought a contagious sense of joy to the room.
The evening ended on a touching note as members of the crew joined Peck on stage for a heartfelt group hug, met with thunderous applause. While the mystery of Orville Peck’s masked persona remains, this final night at the Palladium revealed his unmasked emotions to an adoring audience.
