Kaleo plus support from Shane Smith and The Saints

Arriving about halfway through Shane Smiths and The Saints support set, we were immediately impressed with their country/rock sound and energy. You wouldn’t have thought it was a support band with the reaction of the crowd, they loved it. And this just highlights how important a support slot can be, as along with a lot of this crowd, us included, will be going to see this band when undoubtedly, they return to our shores.

Now for Kaleo. A lot of people would not know the band but have heard their music, as it’s been used in TV adverts, perfume adverts, and on TV programs, because of their strong vocal bluesy rock, that suits so many situations. Their catchy, foot tapping sound has wide appeal, and I’m betting that if we played you their biggest hit, ‘Way Down We Go’, you would immediately recognise it. But there is more to this Icelandic band than background music, as witnessed by the enthralled Wolverhampton audience tonight. With three albums under their belt and millions of sales and downloads, tours and TV performances in the USA, they are seasoned performers, as proven tonight in The Halls. Switching from their blues-rock trademark sound and even country/folk tinged numbers, this is some talented band of musicians, with a lead vocalist, Jökull Júlíusson who possesses a phenomenal voice.

Kaleo probably won’t trouble the charts too much, but I sense that that they won’t lose sleep over it. Their albums sell well, their tours are really well attended, and they get to record videos in some incredible places, like on the edge of a volcano and even playing and recording at Rome’s Colosseum. In fact, they are only the second act allowed such a privilege, the other being a certain Mr Paul McCartney.

Photos by Geoff Griffe
Review by Jenny Griffe