On January 23rd, New Years Day took the stage at Les Étoiles in Paris for an electrifying metal concert, with Conquer Divide as the opening act. The intimate venue was packed with eager fans, ready to embrace the powerful performances from two bands that have been making waves in the modern rock and metal scenes for years.
The night started with Conquer Divide, a metalcore band, steadily gaining recognition for their aggressive yet melodic sound. It is normally an all-woman band, but for this tour, they brought an amazing male bassist who perfectly sang the guttural parts of the songs. The energy in the room surged from the moment they stepped onto the stage. Their set was a well-balanced mix of their latest hits and older fan favourites, blending clean and harsh vocals with intricate guitar work and pounding drums.
Tracks like ‘Paralyzed’ and ‘Welcome2Paradise’ showcased their signature dynamic range, moving effortlessly between soaring choruses and crushing breakdowns. The crowd responded enthusiastically, moshing and headbanging in sync with the heavy riffs. Vocalist Kiarely Castillo’s stage presence was commanding, with her beautiful voice and dynamic moves. The band’s energy was on point, and by the end of their set, they had undoubtedly won over any audience members who weren’t already fans, including us. What an amazing discovery!
As the lights dimmed for the main act, anticipation filled the air. New Years Day, led by the charismatic Ash Costello, wasted no time in delivering a high-energy performance that kept the audience engaged from start to finish. Kicking things off with ‘Vampyre’ the band immediately set the tone for the night—a mix of eerie theatrics, powerful instrumentation, and Costello’s signature red-and-black aesthetic.
The setlist was a well-curated journey through the band’s evolution, featuring hits like ‘Half Black Heart’, ‘Come for Me’, and ‘Shut Up’. Each song was met with roars from the crowd, who sang along with every chorus. Costello’s engagement with the audience was magnetic, frequently interacting with fans and encouraging participation. She made hearts with a lot of fans, pointed at them and with guitarist Nikki Misery, they came into the pit to play surrounded by their fans who loved the experience. Ash took that as a chance to hug fans and give them an unforgettable memory, it was such a beautiful moment of love and connection to witness.
One of the night’s highlights was their cover of ‘Gangsta’ by Kehlani, a surprising yet well-received rendition that added a dark, moody twist to the original track. This was followed by ‘Disgust Me’ and ‘Hurts Like Hell’, both of which saw the crowd moving in a frenzy. Closing out the night with their hit ‘Kill or Be Killed’ to the delight of old fans, New Years Day left the stage with the audience craving more.
In conclusion, New Years Day’s Paris show at Les Étoiles was more than just a concert—it was an intense and explosive experience. From the raw intensity of Conquer Divide’s opening set to the theatrical spectacle of New Years Day, the night was a testament to the power of live music led by two amazing women.
Written by: Méline Fritz
Photographed by: Méline Fritz
Edited by: Ilse Muis
