Words & photography by: Chloe Jackson-Nott

After having the privilege of seeing Dream State support Funeral For A Friend in Cardiff’s Utilita Arena, we needed to take the opportunity to see them live their dreams on tour with As December Falls. We managed to catch them during their show in Bristol SWX with other support act Lizzy Farrall.

Lead singer, Jessie Powell, has only been with the band for approximately a year since taking over CJ Gilpin. She has achieved incredible things in this past year and 2024 is looking even brighter for Dream State. The band had a reshuffle of members with CJ Gilpin and Rhys Wilcox’s departure, leaving Aled Evans as the remaining original member. He gathered together a team which included Jessie Powell, Jake Bowen and Tom Connolly. Dream State are a Welsh power force not to be reckoned with.

During their set with at Bristol, the band got the crowd worked up. The energy in the room was static and electrifying. As the music pulsed through the venue, crowd surfer after crowd surfer rode over the barrier channeling the adrenaline of the night ahead.

The physical manifestation of the collective energy and shared passion for the music in that room was incredible. You could see as every person that surfed to the front, they felt safe to do so in that environment and that Dream State felt adored and impassioned by the fans were so involved. Both Aled and Jessie also got involved by hopping into the audience to continue their set. Aled with his guitar to create a circle pit around him as he shredded out the song, and Jessie opening up the crowd with the audience admiring her eclectic vibe. Jessie looks sweet and innocent but then she brings out that devilish powerhouse scream and it’s a completely different aesthetic. It’s incredible to say the least!

Dream State have recently announced some very exciting things for 2024 including a featured slot on a stage at 2000 Trees and a headline tour! They’ll be on tour in March and April followed by 2000 Trees in July. Find tickets for The Dream State tour.

Still Dreaming UK Tour 2024

March 28 – Swansea – Patti Pavilion
March 29 – Bristol – Lost Horizon
March 30 – Exeter – Cavern
April 1 – Oxford – The Bullingdon
April 2 – Liverpool – District
April 4 – Newcastle – Xerox
April 5 – Glasgow – Cathouse
April 6 – Sheffield – Corporation
April 7 – Manchester – Canvas
April 9 – Nottingham – Rescue Rooms
April 10 – Norwich – Waterfront Studio
April 11 – Northampton – The Black Prince
April 12 – Birmingham – Asylum
April 13 – Portsmouth – Takedown Festival