From Iceland to Albany. When KALEO’s “Mixed Emotions Tour” rolled into Empire Live on Tuesday, August 5th, the vibe was immaculate despite a last-minute venue change from Frog Alley Brewing in Schenectady. Fans, initially confused, quickly rallied to sell out the packed, sweaty club, creating an electric atmosphere that perfectly suited the Grammy-nominated indie rock sensations. Alongside support from Nashville-based up-and-comers Edgehill, it was a night many Capital Region concert goers will be talking about for years to come.
Nashville’s rising young rockers Edgehill kicked off the night promptly at 7:30 PM, bringing raw enthusiasm and promising energy to the crowd. Just old enough to play bars, Chris Kelly (lead vocals / guitar), Jake Zimmermann (lead guitar / vocals), Andrei Olaru (bass), and Aidan Cunningham (drums) openly shared their excitement about touring with KALEO and experiencing Albany for the first time. Tracks like “Shooting Glances,” “I Can Be Your Dog,” and their latest single “Doubletake” showcased the band’s youthful grit and melodic punch.
An unexpected challenge arose when the lead singer broke a guitar string without a replacement, forcing the band to improvise the rest of the performance. Showing moxie and determination by leaning heavily on Kelly’s scintillating voice, their display of resilience and raw talent revealed why Edgehill is quickly gaining attention. They’re young, hungry, and definitely a band to watch as they carve their path forward. If Edgehill is the future, KALEO is the NOW and after a brief intermission, they would launch Albany on a sonic journey beyond compare.
As KALEO took the stage to a bone vibrating atmospheric bass loop, the room exploded in awe and cheers. From the first chord of “Break My Baby,” it was clear this crowd was rowdy and deeply enamored, many fans singing along to every word despite the band’s latest album Mixed Emotions only dropping three months ago.
Formed in Iceland in 2012, KALEO consists of lead singer/rhythm guitarist Jökull Júlíusson (aka JJ Julius Son), drummer Davíð Antonsson, bassist Daniel Kristjánsson, lead guitarist Rubin Pollock and multi-instrumentalist Þorleifur Gaukur Davíðsson. Best friends since attending elementary school outside of Reykjavík, they started playing music together at age 17. The name “Kaleo,” pronounced “kah-LAY-oh” (with emphasis on the second syllable), meaning “the voice” in Hawaiian, was chosen to reflect their captivating indie rock sound. After gaining significant fame in Iceland with their cover of “Vor í Vaglaskógi,” the band signed with Atlantic Records and relocated to Austin, Texas in 2015, marking the beginning of their international breakthrough.
Now in Albany and dressed in his signature Valeria Andino hat, JJ Julius Son was as enigmatic as he was magnetic at Empire Live. His long hair partially obscuring his face as his distinct powerhouse voice filled the room with raw intensity on well-received tracks like “USA Today,” “Broken Bones,” and “Hey Gringo.” His minimal stage banter let the music speak for itself, further drawing the audience into KALEO’s spell. The band’s tight performance never felt repetitive, each song offered something fresh, with seamless guitar swaps and a varied sonic palette. The unsung MVP of the night had to be multi-instrumentalist Þorleifur Gaukur Davíðsson, who seemingly played something different on every song. From harmonica, to keyboard, to pedal steel to mandolin, to electric guitar, watching him go to work was both highly entertaining and impressive.
The band’s set deftly moved through moods and styles, navigating between raucous rockers like “Bloodline” and “Hot Blood” to cinematic soulful ballads such as “Lonely Cowboy,” “All the Pretty Girls” and a standout version of “I Can’t Go On Without You.” Fan favorites “Way Down We Go” and the Grammy-nominated single “No Good” ignited the crowd further, eliciting full-blown singalongs and an enthusiastic applause as people raised hands and clapped in unison. KALEO’s live sound perfectly captured the intensity and emotion of their recordings while injecting a raw, authentic energy that kept you on your feet and dancing.
After an extended encore break during which the crowd nearly shattered the sound barrier with their chants for more, KALEO returned beaming, rewarding the audience with a stellar encore featuring the one-two punch of “Back Door” and the high-octane “Rock N Roller.” The standing ovation that followed was heartfelt and loud, the crowd fully aware they had witnessed a band on the cusp of something huge.
KALEO’s journey, from teenage friends in Iceland to New York’s capital city, is a testament to their dedication and unmistakable talent. Their blend of heartfelt songwriting, commanding musicianship, and compelling stage presence is something that’s easy to relate to and it should be no surprise this band is surging in popularity. If this night in Albany was any indication, KALEO is poised for even greater heights on the global stage. A band truly living up to its name: The Voice.
KALEO | August 5, 2025 | Empire Live | Albany, NY
Setlist: Break My Baby, USA Today, Broken Bones, Can’t Go On Without You, All the Pretty Girls, Automobile, Hey Gringo, Hot Blood, Lonely Cowboy, Vor I Vaglaskogi, Bloodline, Skinny, Way Down We Go, No Good.
Encore: Back Door, Rock n Roller.
Edgehill | August 5, 2025 | Empire Live | Albany, NY
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