LOS ANGELES, CA- As I walked into the Troubadour last Wednesday, the crowd was already buzzing with anticipation. With legendary acts like Elton John, Bob Dylan, Arctic Monkeys, and Coldplay having performed at this venue, it’s fair to say the walls of the Troubadour have seen their fair share of musical greatness. It was Kaleo’s time as they kicked off their international tour in this iconic yet intimate space.
The Troubadour, an intimate setting, amplified the powerful sound Kaleo brought, further emphasizing how special the night was. With no opener, the room was charged with the anticipation of fans ready and waiting for the main event. The sold-out crowd was packed from stage to bar, with little, if any, space to move. Fans were hanging over the railing in the balcony, eager not to miss a single note. When Jökull Júlíusson and the rest of the band came out onto the stage, the room exploded with applause that resonated outside the building. The first note made it clear that Kaleo was here to do more than just perform; they were here to connect. Moving into their set, they delivered a mix of classic hits and new material, including “Broken Bones,” “All The Pretty Girls,” and “Lonely Cowboy.” Each song was delivered with a precision and passion that shook the walls of the small venue.
Like so many others, I’ve played “Way Down We Go” on repeat, letting its deep, bluesy undertones resonate through my soul. With over 1.1 billion streams on Spotify, it’s a song that clearly resonates with listeners. Combining emotional storytelling with piercing instrumentation, Kaleo delivers a life-changing live performance. Listening to “Way Down We Go” live was a dream for me and many others, but it was just a small moment in a remarkable evening filled with deep cuts and hits.
As if we weren’t spoiled enough, after an hour and a half of non-stop music, Kaleo treated us to some unreleased tracks. These new songs hinted at a continued evolution of their bluesy rock sound. However, it’s evident from the unreleased songs that they’re not above blending genres. I noticed they’re embracing a country/folk rock sound with some of their new music—a blend I’m quite excited about.
One thing that caught my attention about Kaleo was the way they inhabited the stage. There was a sense of camaraderie, seen in the smiles shared amongst the band members and the nods of encouragement to one another. It was apparent that Kaleo was in sync, with members knowing when to lead and when to support. The crowd fed off this energy, with loud cheers and whistles following every solo. Kaleo’s musicianship was undeniable, with each musician showcasing his individual talents. From wild, unpredictable harmonica solos to intricate melodies on the fiddle, each artist had their moment to shine.
The affection wasn’t limited to the band members. I watched as strangers turned into friends, united by a shared love for Kaleo’s music. When the show finally ended, the buzz didn’t die down. It spilled out onto the street, with fans sticking around to compare notes and share memories.
Limited merchandise, available only at this show, included signed posters and Kaleo shirts featuring The Troubadour. It was evident that Kaleo recognized the importance of this show and was doing everything to leave a lasting impression. As I walked out of the Troubadour that night, I couldn’t help but think about how special the evening had been.
As they press on with their tour, moving from Northern California and ending in Norway, I’m excited about what’s to come. Perhaps there will be an announcement of their newest album, which I and many other fans are eagerly awaiting. Kaleo is transformative, and I have no doubt that they will make every show on their tour as special as the one I experienced.
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LIVE CLIPS
