Indie Rising: Castells Turn London’s OMEARA into a Stage for Dreams and Memories
In the heart of bustling Borough Market, the streets buzz with Friday night energy, yet tucked away in the shadows lies one of London’s hidden gems: OMEARA. This intimate venue feels like a secret haven for music lovers, a place with rich history that meets the future of emerging talent. I had been eagerly anticipating this night, finally getting the chance to experience Castells live, a four-piece indie-rock band on the brink of something big, who I had been following closely for almost a year. Little did I know that stepping into this gorgeous, intimate space, my Friday night would transform into an unforgettable journey, far surpassing any expectations.
The night began with a supporting performance from Wych Elm, a Bristol-based band. Despite their set starting with a small crowd, their contemplative and occasionally macabre grungy indie-rock songs quickly drew listeners in.
By 9pm, the energy in the room was electrifying. The sold-out crowd of family, friends, and year long fans eagerly waited to see Castells take the beautiful stage at OMEARA—a stage that the band recalled on several occasions throughout the night to have great significance in their career.
As the lights dimmed, nothing could've prepared me for the cinematic and ethereal opening, where the rousing electronics and synths build to a stunning crescendo, certainly leaving not just myself speechless and in absolute awe but the crowd as well; with reminiscent feelings of a montage of memories and experiences flashing in your mind. Seamlessly transitioning into Little Heart, a deep cut from 2021, the crowd instantly came alive. It was an unexpected but brilliant choice to open the set, drawing energy from the audience that only intensified as the night went on. Vocalist Connor Crooks welcomed everyone, jokingly asking if every person in the room was actually there to see them, in response receiving loud cheers. "It is an honour to play this venue; thank you for selling it out tonight".
The first half of their set ranged from recent releases to some of their earliest tunes. Psychedelic Heartbreak was a clear standout in the first half. This anthemic track was clearly made to be performed in larger venues like arenas and stadiums, where the crowd often overpowered the band with their singing. Going back in time, Viola was a huge favourite among the crowd, many of whom wore merchandise with the EP title and other merchandise from that era. The fast-paced track beautifully juxtaposes bittersweet lyrics and soft storytelling of a drunken romance with a stranger with its explosive melody, where many in the crowd seemingly surrendered themselves to the song and sang their heart out.
The band played a few unreleased tracks amid chants of "Castells". The jumpy Runaways was familiar among some fans, as the band has played this track at their previous shows. At the same time, an upcoming release, FMU, surprised everyone with its heavier, grungy vibe and rock influences. Crooks' descending chromatics, together with Matt Chittenden's floor-vibrating basslines, certainly left their mark on the audience, and this anger-desperation track will definitely be a single to be on the lookout for!
Returning to some of their biggest hits, Crooks urged the crowd to jump and sing along to Can't Speak for Us. Fans lifted each other onto their shoulders, leaping and shouting the lyrics in unison, the song’s anthemic energy coursing through the entire room. Loudly echoing ‘We are the voice of the young’, a clear message was delivered: Enough is enough. The people in power meant to represent us and our voices have forgotten about the power they hold, and we demand change - we will not remain silent. A strong hostility is created amongst the commotion, with uproarious instrumentals like Marc Smith's jarring drums and Rob Castelino's electrifying guitar, coupled with unforgiving lyrics setting an urgent and desperate tone. Crooks' vocals seamlessly tie it into a powerful and representative track.
Before finishing the first half of the set, Crooks recalled the first time the band got to play OMEARA. "We supported Luna Bay here in 2019 and were so amazed by how cool this venue was. Back in the green room, we talked about what a f*cking dream it would be to play this venue. Thanks to all of you, we are here and sold it out. Thank you." Calling Me Out prompted one of the biggest sing alongs of the night where the crowd beautifully harmonised with the band. This intimate pop-rock track depicted a nervous longing for someone and what could come from an unexpected relationship with them, highlighted through sincere vocals and harmonies by the band alongside Castelino's powerful guitar riffs.
As the lights dimmed, Crooks moved into the crowd, requesting phone torches to be raised to surround him. Arguably the most chilling and memorable performance of the night, Crooks sang a slowed and stripped-back version of Falling for You while moving throughout the crowd. Illuminated by everyone's flashlights, his powerful yet gentle and heartfelt vocals recited a love letter, reminiscing on good times and the inexplicably beautiful feelings of falling for someone. Castelino surprised the audience by singing the bridge as Crooks returned to the stage before the entire band joined in the final chorus.
To kick off the second half of their set, Crooks introduced their upcoming single, Getaway Car. Reminiscent of Fall Out Boy, this song was significantly heavier than their previous releases. The response from the crowd was incredible, with fans getting low on the ground before jumping up and dancing to the song. There is great potential for mosh pits at future shows when the track is more known, and I believe the band has received their stamp of approval from the fans from this performance alone. Another deep cut, Low, kept the energy high and brought much joy to fans, many of which got up on each other's shoulders to sing this song.
Better Days rounded off the main part of Castells' set, which delighted a few fans who were chanting the song title long before Crooks confirmed they were in luck as it was the "final" song to be played. From start to finish, the crowd didn't drop an ounce of their energy. This single is one that perfectly encapsulates Castells' songwriting, representing a core value strung throughout their song: supporting and uplifting one another, refusing anyone to deal with hardships on their own. Castells strive to raise voices, using their art and lyricism as a way to create a safe space for communicating one’s troubles. There is no better track with which to end their set's main portion.
The band did not manage to leave the stage without hearing "one more song" chants, and to the audience's glee, the band returned to one of their biggest tracks, Mr. Problematic. It seemed that Chittenden's bass was turned up louder than at any other point during the night, and everyone was ecstatic. Crooks took a moment to once again thank the audience: "Without getting too deep, about two years ago, this band would've no longer existed. But, thanks to you guys, we f*cking do. Thank you. We love you all to death; you mean the f*cking world to us. Hopefully, we will see your beautiful faces in rooms like these again soon. Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything. We've been Castells." With promises of more gigs in the upcoming year and yielding to more "one more song" chants, the band closed the night off with Do It All Again. Harmonising with the crowd, this song was the perfect closure for the night. With euphoric choruses and bittersweet verses, the audience left the venue with worries gone and with memories to last a lifetime.
By the end of the night, Castells had not only proven themselves as a band to watch but as an indie-rock powerhouse destined for bigger stages. Their growth in their ability to connect and relate with fans, as well as as songwriters and performers, was undeniable. Leaving OMEARA, I cannot adequately express the emotions I felt, but they were nothing short of magical. I felt not only a sense of awe but also certainty that Castells will soon be playing to significantly larger crowds, which is long overdue. With many new releases to look forward to and more live performances in the new year, one thing is clear - Castells is not leaving any time soon, they have just started.
Photography by Alisa Fridman