KAWALA fulfil their childhood dream with a stellar homecoming finale to their UK tour at a sold-out O2 Forum in Kentish Town.

It’s been a whole two and a half years since they headlined The Dome in Tufnell Park just up the road, but the excitement hasn’t died down. Self-described as a fusion of indie, folk, and afrobeat, KAWALA have built their trademark sound on impeccable harmonies accompanied by the acoustic guitar. The band primarily consists of lead vocalist Jim Higson and acoustic guitarist/vocalist Daniel McCarthy, and is complete with the addition of bassist Reeve Coulson, electric guitarist Dan Lee, and drummer Ben Batten. With a number of shows already sold out on what is their largest tour to date comes news that an even bigger run of dates has been set for 2022 – in support of their debut album Better With You, due on the 4th of March.

A video playing on the overhead screens on either side of the stage show Higson and McCarthy at Mario’s Café in Kentish Town dashing out to make their way to tonight’s show, going past Rio’s health spa and the MAP Studio Café and picking their bandmates up on the way, before ending up knocking frantically on the doors of The Forum. They go straight from being on-screen to walking on stage in a sequence so flawless and perfectly timed, one might think it was all happening live, kicking things off with Funky. Though most of the set features upbeat, dance-worthy tracks such as Angry Man and Pure Desire, Animals and Heavy In The Morning cast a slightly darker mood while Back Of My Hand and Moonlight showcase a more calm and subdued side.

Between the jokes about Boris Johnson and Higson’s dancing (which he jests hasn’t improved at all, although his moves are almost as much a signature of the band as their harmonies), we’re treated to their cover of Griff & HONNE’s 1000000 x Better and a taste of the upcoming album with Jesse C’mon. Spoiler alert: it’s every bit as good as you’d expect. The FIFA 21-featured single Ticket To Ride is followed by the incredibly infectious Do It Like You Do, before they vacate the stage, only for Daniel and Jim to return alone for the serene Mighty River. After a blast of confetti wraps up Runaway, it’s a simultaneously inappropriate and fitting end as Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline then blasts through the speakers. While “hands, touching hands” is probably not the best idea right now, “good times never seemed so good” couldn’t be any more on the money.

Photos: Abigail Shii