"An explosive culmination of hope and euphoria": Kawala lights up Exeter's Phoenix
Indie-folk band Kawala embark on their farewell tour following the release of eight new tracks in the 'Kawala Collection'.
Starting out as the duo of Jim Higson on vocals and Daniel McCarthy on guitar and vocals, they were later joined by their friends, drummer Ben Batten, guitarist Dan Lee and bassist Reeve Coulson.
In a decade of playing together, the 5-piece band has carved out a unique, unmistakable sound composed of dulcet harmonies, finger-style acoustic guitar playing and heartfelt lyricism. Kawala soundtracks the lives of its fans with hope-infused songs which keenly encapsulate the ebbs and flows of life. The feature of their now hit song Ticket to Ride on video game FIFA 2021 gained them newfound appreciation from football fans and beyond, standing out with their upbeat, genre-bending style.
Despite being a parting gift, their recently released collection of songs shows a new side of the band's artistry with prominent electric guitar riffs, alongside their trademark acoustic sound, in bangers like American Adrenaline and I Feel You. Following a series of shows in spring of 2024, with a milestone performance at HERE @ Outernet London, they reunite with fans for one last rodeo.
On the second night of their UK and EU tour, Kawala took over Phoenix for an intimate- but sold-out- show with a poetically ordered, 19-song setlist bound to appease their supporters. The independent multi-art venue at the heart of Exeter was buzzing with bittersweet anticipation, with fans donning their merch and ready to hold up signs. Melbourne-based Teenage Dads opened the night with playful tunes and a cover of iconic throwback Video Killed the Radio Star, capturing the attention of a new set of listeners.
Kawala energetically kicked it off with Never Really Here for Long, the closing track of their debut album and a prime example of their characteristic acoustic sound. With its 'carpe diem' mantra, it set the tone for both the crowd and band to enjoy the fleeting moments of the farewell tour. Followed by another note of encouragement, new hit Time Slipping Away got the entirety of the crowd dancing along with the band.
Animals, an empowering, metaphorical song about leaving a toxic relationship, commenced the mellower, more pensive part of their set. Acknowledging their supporters' love and sentimentality for their music, they affectionately recalled a fan proposing to the song without realising its meaning at a show in Southampton several years ago. They joked that there must be something in the Southampton air, where they'd had another proposal again the previous night, albeit to another song.
Among Kawala's newest songs, Old Me was a true full circle moment for the group in a way that goes beyond its impactful reflection on how far their older selves have come. Written alongside Bombay Bicycle Club's vocalist Ed Nash, Kawala describes them as their all-time favourite band and biggest influence. Going from supporting them on their tour to co-writing a song, Old Me is especially sentimental and a celebration of their journey. Kawala is also joined by their drummer, Suren de Saram, which they called a "wonderfully poetic" moment as they embark on their final tour. Fans sang along with Jim Higson and Daniel McCarthy's silky vocals despite the song being a recent addition to the band's repertoire.
Moonlight, a Kawala classic and lead singer Jim's favourite song, stunned the crowd with its pairing of scenic storytelling of the search for an escape and learning to be mindful with a soothing melody and rich harmonies.
Reeve, Dan and Suren then left the stage for an awe-inspiring acoustic performance of Mighty River by Jim and Daniel, an homage to the band's inception as a duo. Kawala's potent, magical essence was tangible in the auditorium which hummed with the subdued voices of the crowd who recited every hopeful lyric.
Whilst the band spoke of their gratitude for their supporters several times, this was most eloquently and sweetly expressed through Echoes, a song written as a dedication to their fans. Jim held up a sign taken from among the front row which spoke the song's lyrics back to them, with 'life is "better with you"' written in the colours of their debut album's cover, a sentiment which the crowd confirmed was shared through loud cheers.
Funky, one of Kawala's earliest tunes, and new, pop-inflected hit American Adrenaline lightened the mood before they addressed "the elephant in the room", with Jim and Daniel jokingly apologising to newer fans who hadn’t realised this was their farewell tour. They toasted their decade long journey with their drinks, the crowd reciprocating, and continued on with fan favourite Runaway.
The group returned to the stage after an encore, beckoned by relentless cheers, to round the night off with two of their most beloved songs all about the future to come, acting as a valediction for the band and crowd who longed for more. The question "how about 2 more songs?" was met with a demanding roar which grew even louder after Jim sarcastically followed up with "how about 20 more songs?". They requested "maximum energy" for this finale and the crowd did not fail to deliver.
Within milliseconds of recognising Ticket to Ride's chilled out guitar and lyrics, the crowd exuberantly joined in on what can be called the most quintessentially Kawala song, a summery hit about escapism and an anthem for all fans.
An extended prelude prepared fans for the last song of the night, Do It Like You Do. Another emblematic banger, it served as a reminder to unapologetically be yourself in light of new beginnings with its addictive melody. Daniel's snare solo built up anticipation for the final chorus, an explosive culmination of hope and euphoria felt within the song itself but also as a reflective ending to Kawala's career. The crowd didn't allow their applause and cheers to subside, a testament of the unfaltering joy Kawala has provided in the past 10 years.
After customarily walking off to Nelly's Hot in Herre, the band reunited with the crowd after the show over their busy merch stand, chatting with everyone and taking in words of appreciation from new and old fans who were elated to have caught them on their farewell tour.
The band lives up to their positivity-infused songs with their heavily infectious energy on stage as the show felt like a celebratory evening shared by friends rather than a performance. Although the crowd was just over 500 people, they were all undeniably entranced by Kawala's soulful soundscapes as their dancing and singing never ceased. The group's unwavering ability to musically narrate the journey of life guarantees that their music will continue to provide listeners with instantaneous doses of happiness and serve as inspiration to future artists through the confident embrace of their distinctive style. Whilst we wish Kawala well on their future endeavours, we can only hope to see them on stage again in the future.
Photography by Ivana Margarita Ignatova