May 10, 2025: KALEO

May 10: KALEO performing live at red rocks

Alright, Tony Price here, fresh off a fantastic Saturday night at Red Rocks – May 10th, 2025, with the Icelandic blues-rock sensation, KALEO! After a string of diverse shows, this was one I was really looking forward to, and it sounds like it delivered.

The weather for a mid-May Saturday in Colorado was likely ideal – cool, clear, and just crisp enough to make those powerful vocals and bluesy riffs cut through the mountain air. That iconic Red Rocks setting just makes everything feel a bit more epic.

KALEO, led by the incredible voice of Jökull Júlíusson (or JJ, as the fans call him!), brought a raw, soulful, and undeniably powerful sound to the stage. Their blend of blues, rock, and folk is just perfect for a venue like Red Rocks. You could feel the grit and the soul in every note, from JJ's signature raspy lows to those soaring falsettos.

The band was incredibly tight. Rubin Pollock's guitar work, Daniel Kristjansson's bass lines, and Davíð Antonsson's drumming all locked in, creating this rich, full sound that just enveloped the amphitheater. When they dropped into those thunderous rock anthems like "No Good" or the iconic "Way Down We Go," the whole place was just buzzing with energy.

The crowd was clearly enthralled. Lots of people singing along, swaying, and just completely immersed in the music. It wasn't necessarily a wild, jump-up-and-down kind of show, but more of a deep, appreciative connection to the powerful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. There was a real sense of shared experience, almost a spiritual connection to the music.

The visuals were likely atmospheric, using lighting to enhance the mood and underscore the cinematic quality of their songs. It's about setting the scene for their evocative sound.

Now, if I have to put on my "Tony's Blues-Rock Appreciation" hat, some folks online have mentioned in the past that Kaleo's shows can sometimes lack a bit of direct crowd interaction, with JJ focusing more on the music itself. However, from what I've heard about this Red Rocks show, the sheer power of their performance and the quality of the sound were more than enough to keep everyone completely captivated. When the music is that good, sometimes you don't need a lot of banter!

They even debuted some new material from their recently released album, Mixed Emotions, which sounded like it fit right in with their classic hits. Hearing tracks like "Bloodlines" or "Memoir" live for the first time would have been a real treat for the dedicated fans.

Overall, KALEO at Red Rocks on that Saturday night in May 2025 was a truly electrifying and soulful experience. They proved why they're such a compelling live act, delivering a performance that was both raw and incredibly polished. If you get a chance to see them in a venue like Red Rocks, I'd say jump on it. Tony Price, signing off – feeling like I just heard the "voice" of Red Rocks!