Since the O2 Brixton reopened, they have been putting on incredible acts. One of them is Circa Waves, delivering an electric performance as part of their UK tour to promote their newest album Death & Love Pt 1. Lots of their shows on this run have been sold out and their London show was very very close to packing the whole venue. Quite a remarkable achievement for a band of this scale – if you ask me.
First up were Corella, a band of youngsters hailing from Manchester. The quartet opened the night with a lot of energy, captivating their audience with their upbeat indie-pop sound. The band was great to watch, and the audience seemed warmed up already for the night as they danced and jumped along to the catchy melodies. Building anticipation for the headliner act, Corella were a great choice for the whole tour run.
Second on the bill were Worcester-based indie rockers Peace. Their sound was much more mellow and melodic, with a distinctive blend of harmonies and guitar solos. They had a lot of fan favourite songs on their setlist, with people swinging from side to side. For the end of their set, they climbed up the drum risers to deliver an incredible double guitar solo, while their singer was a step ahead of his game and started deconstructing the drum kit on stage, leaving only a base skeleton for their drummer to deliver the final beats of their set. They definitely left a lasting impression, amplifying the night’s momentum.
In a sea of red lights with an incredible light system behind them, Circa Waves emerged on stage to a roaring welcome by their audience. The band has a very distinct stage presence, a charisma that is reminiscent of Arctic Monkeys but with a genuine twist. Promoting their new album, inspired by their frontman’s near-death experience in 2023, they explore the themes of mortality and resilience, all within the endless race in life we call love. But before the first notes even rang, their stage production was eye-catching. The light show was spectacular throughout the set, complementing the band’s dynamic performance. It was this attention to the visual element that definitely elevated Circa Waves’ performance overall.
Their setlist was very well curated to accommodate new and older fans. They included tracks like “Let’s Leave Together” from their new album, and also older bangers such as “Move to San Francisco,” “Fossils,” “We Made It,” and “Fire that Burns.” The people kept dancing and singing along to their set, and you could even see a mini circle-pit through some of the more heavier songs on the list. The band received an overwhelming crowd response to the show, which was very heartwarming to see for an up-and-coming band. It was a great gig that definitely left its mark on the band’s fans, who are already eager to see more.
GALLERY: Circa Waves at O2 Brixton in London (February 26, 2025)
