Fire, Flowers, and Frenzy: Paleface Swiss Take Over Huxleys Neue Welt Berlin
Written and Captured By | Anne Einecke
Huxley’s Neue Welt was already buzzing long before the first band stepped on stage that freezing January night. The historic Neukölln venue, known for its spacious main hall and rear balcony, felt like a second home for hardcore fans. Opened in the early 20th century and now one of Berlin’s most established concert locations, Huxley’s has hosted countless legendary shows — and Paleface Swiss were about to add another to that legacy.
From the start, it was clear this was more than just another concert. Fans greeted each other with hugs and shared beers, reflecting how tight-knit the Berlin hardcore scene truly is. Many attendees were already decked out in Paleface merch, yet the merch table remained packed as people grabbed even more. Compared to earlier Paleface shows in Berlin, this was a noticeably larger venue, and the excitement in the room was impossible to miss. The strong sense of community made the atmosphere feel like one big hardcore family.
See more photos Static Dress HERE
The night opened with Static Dress from Leeds, a post-hardcore screamo band formed in 2018. Frontman Olli Appleyard and his bandmates immediately set a striking tone. Two old television sets displayed the band’s glowing red logo, while candles flickered atop the sound boxes. After glitchy video clips, the band entered the stage one by one. Stylishly dressed, Static Dress looked just as sharp as they sounded. Olli stood out in a cropped black-and-white leather jacket and a silver DVD-logo belt, delivering long, intense screams and commanding the stage with confidence.
A standout moment came when the singer of Stick To Your Guns joined Static Dress for a song. Olli spoke about how honored he felt to tour with them, calling STYG a band with “true values” and admitting he once watched them on YouTube as a fan. The band also introduced their new track human props, aimed at corporations and the music industry, flipping off “the big industry guys” as the crowd roared. Olli tossed his microphone — and later the entire mic stand — high into the air, catching both effortlessly. Songs like face. and clean. sent the first crowd surfers flying, and Static Dress left the stage as a visually striking and emotionally intense opener.
By the time Stick To Your Guns took over, Huxley’s was packed to the brim. The Orange County hardcore band stormed the stage with Diamond, instantly igniting the crowd. Headbanging, two-stepping, and shouting erupted within seconds. When vocalist Jesse Barnett called for a circle pit, the audience delivered, spinning wildly as the floor shook beneath them.
See more photos Stick To Your Guns HERE
Between songs, Jesse addressed political issues in the US, emphasizing personal responsibility before launching into More Than a Witness. Keep Planting Flowers followed, bringing a hopeful message of mental health awareness. The band dedicated Spineless to Paleface, highlighting the mutual respect between the acts. As Jesse urged the crowd to go all out, waves of crowd surfers filled the room — even security appeared to be enjoying the moment. Stick To Your Guns built the perfect emotional and energetic foundation for the headliner.
After a brief playlist break featuring electronic tracks from artists like Skrillex, Paleface Swiss took control of the stage. Ivy-covered elements, flower banners, and heavy chain microphone stands hinted at the band’s visual and sonic contrasts. Ticking noises, screeching sounds, and flashing lights built tension before the stage erupted in flames. I Am a Cursed One opened the intense 90-minute set with pyrotechnics and relentless energy. Frontman Marc “Zelli” Zellweger fueled the chaos, calling for “old-school moshpits” and shouting “Wake up, Berlin!” as the venue exploded.
See more photos Paleface Swiss HERE
The band’s visuals matched their crushing sound. Zelli switched from a black net sweater to a simple black top, while guitarist Yannick stood out in a leather jacket and cut-out leather pants. Noting that Paleface had played Berlin exactly one year earlier, Zelli joked with the crowd, asking if they were hungover and urging those in the back to grab a Jägermeister.
During Best Before: Death, the crowd screamed “Fucked!” back at Zelli with full force. A softer moment followed with Everything Is Fine from the recently released The Wilted EP, showcasing Zelli’s clean vocals and emotional depth. Despite joking about hating most of their older songs, Zelli reintroduced The Rats, triggering another surge of crowd surfers.
See more photos Paleface Swiss HERE
One of the night’s most touching moments came with an acoustic performance of River of Sorrows. Seated on bar stools, the band played as phone lights illuminated the venue, spreading a message of mental health awareness. Shortly after, Stick To Your Guns joined Paleface on stage for Instrument of War, uniting the crowd in pure hardcore intensity.
The show closed with Please End Me, written in just three hours and now the band’s biggest hit. One final explosion of energy ended the night. Paleface Swiss proved once again that they are a ferocious live act, blending raw aggression with honesty and vulnerability. From start to finish, the audience was completely locked in — a perfect example of modern hardcore at its best.