Ville Valo brings 'NEON NOIR' to the TLA for 2 SOLD OUT Shows

April 4, 2023

Ville Valo's return to Philadelphia has been a long time coming with his two solo shows announcing over a year ago but patients fans were rewarded as the Finnish rocker brought not only the tour of the year with him but quiet possibly the album of the year as well.

'Neon Noir' marked Valo's first release post HIM and the album was met to critical appraise from nearly every outlet in the industry. Valo's voice has aged fantastically over the year and the album is a true masterpiece of musicianly as Valo not only sang but performed/wrote every instrumental on the album as well. While not sonically different than much of his previous material with HIM the album showcased new energy that still channeled that classic sound we know from Ville Valo. To paraphrase one of the reviews "listening to it felt like catching up with an old friend you hadn't seen awhile who is doing really well now." Those who have listened to the album will likely understand that take more than those who haven't.

Ville Valo hit the stage just past 9PM as a light purple LED wash of lighting was cast around him and his touring band. Behind them a giant VV illuminated the sold out Theater of Living Arts in Philadelphia that further burst to life as a full fledged heartagram came to life as the show started. To no surprise Valo started with material from his recently released solo album 'Neon Noir.' The crowd burst to life with joy as Valo strutted to the microphone standing and began belting out the haunting lyrics of "Echolocate Your Love" to start the evening off. The anticipation of the crowd reached a fever pitched in the minutes to Valo's arrival to stage and by the end of the first song it had spilled over as the crowd roared with applause - however their excitement would go even higher as Valo and his band moved quickly into the HIM mainstay "The Funeral of Hearts" before dipping back into some new material with the title track, "Neon Noir."


Through out the night Valo paced the set well as he jumped between delivering stunning renditions of classic HIM songs alongside his new solo material in a setlist that felt truly organic. All of the 'Neon Noir' material bled right into the HIM songs in a way that gave both material new life and new ways to shine. While Valo has always been praised for his artistry both on and off the stage there has never been a better era for the musician than the one we are currently experience. Valo on stage has truly never sounded better - from new songs to old songs and even some deeper cuts Valo commanded the stage with his performance. In terms of artistry his work has never been more critical than it is now, the fresh takes on "Neon Noir" cut like a fresh blade into the root of the world we are currently all trying to exist in and his older material with HIM has aged like fine wine with many of the songs possibly being more relevant artistically and lyrically today than when they were released.


Ville Valo has been an artistic force for multiple decades at this point and with each chapter he continues to surprise. 'Neon Noir' may have turned the page for the artist into a new era but that doesn't mean Valo is afraid to look back at the chapters that got him to this point. Valo remains on tour supporting 'Neon Noir' through May - though based on the response to this tour and nearly every date being sold out I'd wager a strong better we see Valo sooner than not back on stage in the state.

Article Written By:

Matt Christine

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