WAY DOWN WE GO TOUR
The Pinnacle
Nashville, Tennessee
July 19th 20266
KALEO
★
KALEO ★
Live at The Pinnacle in Nashville, TN, Girls Who Tour caught acclaimed Icelandic rock band Kaleo.
The night was filled with giddy excitement, leather boots galore, and fans at the ready. Opening up the night was the folk rock band Dawes, setting the night up with jam band tunes with great, honest lyricism. A perfect mix of melodic haze for the crowd. After this great warm-up set from Dawes, Kaleo stepped onto the indigo-lit stage.
Beginning the headlining set with a single piano at center stage, lead singer JJ Julius Son started with a solo song. This stripped-down performance would be a bold choice for most rock bands, but the acoustic vibe of the first song set the scene for the artistry of the night. The crowd ate up this simply gorgeous opening.
After the first solo song, the rest of the band joined on stage for a more lively shift to pump up the crowd. Next, they performed "Break My Baby" and ended the opening portion of their set with "Broken Bones," one of my favorites. "Broken Bones" is from their debut album, A/B, the album that put them on the world stage. Additionally, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the album's release. As a long-time fan myself, 10 years was surprising to think about. Lead singer JJ joked with the crowd about the anniversary, saying, "Now we are officially a cover band for our own music."
Production of the show was stellar, with interactive visuals, striking lighting, and studio-sounding live vocals. My favorite part of the night was the band's performance of “Vor í Vaglaskógi” one of the few Icelandic songs the band has released. The song explores the forests of northern Iceland.
The versatility of the band is everywhere: lyricism, song composition, world-building. Kaleo adds their artistic soul to each style they perform. The end of the show was met with screams that wouldn't end and fans that wouldn't leave. Girls Who Tour couldn't miss the show with the band that performed in a Volcano, and you shouldn't either. Catch one of their shows on the 2026 tour.