Live Show: Permanent (Joy) kick off Halloween at the O2 Kentish Town Forum.

Words & Photos: Jesse Figueiras Osorio

Hailing from Liverpool, Permanent (Joy) is a four-piece emerging indie-rock group consisting of members Alex Davison, Noah Roche, Dan Stroud, and Dave Annis. They’ve steadily been building a name for themselves with their growing discography, including tracks such as “Josephine” and “I Wanna Go Home,” and have gone from supporting acts such as Inhaler and Crawlers to their own headline tour in September 2025, positioning them as one of the most promising new acts in the indie-rock scene.

In their most recent endeavor, Permanent (Joy) took to the stage in support of rising indie-rock band The Royston Club at the O2 Kentish Town Forum on Halloween, delivering a confident and well-structured opening act that set the tone for what has ramped up to be one of the most anticipated nights of the “Songs For The Spine” tour.

Opening up with “Aeroplane”, the band immediately captured the attention of the crowd with the track's steady rhythm and their confident delivery, establishing the tone for a set that balanced out energy with control. Following up “Stressed Out” showed off the band's punchier side, a track with a garage rock sound, crisp drums, and a sharp guitar lead, a sound that translated effortlessly to the stage.

Their newest single, “Role Models,” offered a slower-paced, yet energetic and atmospheric sound, whilst still keeping the crowd engaged throughout, something that can be difficult at times for support acts but clearly an effortless strength for Permanent (Joy). They closed their set with “I Wanna Go Home”, one of their standout releases to date. Its build and emotionally charged chorus brought the set to a powerful finish, earning an enthusiastic response from the crowd. 

Permanent (Joy)’s performance was focused, powerful, and professional. The band showed a clear sense of direction; strong songs delivered with conviction. For a relatively new act, their stage presence and chemistry is impressive, showcasing a group already secure in their sound and identity. 

As for opening for The Royston Club’s Halloween show, Permanent (Joy) did exactly what an effective support act should: they set the tone for the night, amped up the crowd, won over new listeners, and left a lasting impression on new listeners. With their current momentum, it’s easy to imagine Permanent (Joy) headlining stages like this before long.

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