Kawala's Bittersweet Dublin Farewell!

Last night, under the dim, magical glow of The Academy's lights, Kawala stepped up for what would be their final gig in Dublin—a city where they had played many memorable shows over their ten-year career. The atmosphere was charged with wistful electricity as Jim, Daniel, Reeve, and Dan Leetook the stage for their farewell tour, joined by Bombay Bicycle Club's drummer Suren de Saram, who replaced original member Ben after he departed from the band. For fans like me, who have had the band as their number-one Spotify soundtrack of 2024, this was a night to both cherish and mourn.

The Kawala lads, having announced their split, gifted us with “Kawala: The Collection,” a poignant parting gesture. This compilation features familiar favourites along with a mesmerising new track, "Old Me," co-written with Bombay Bicycle Club. It was a fitting goodbye from a band that has quietly ruled our hearts. Seeing their name in lights was both thrilling and heartbreaking, a reminder that this was the final curtain call for their infectious energy and camaraderie on stage.

Inside The Academy, the atmosphere was vibrant yet tinged with nostalgia. Longtime fans filled the venue, many reminiscing about their first big gig at Whelan's and celebrating local ties, such as their Dubliner sound engineer, Aoife. The night took a heartwarming turn when the band paused their set to present Aoife with a candlelit cake, leading the crowd in a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday." It was a quintessential Kawala moment—intimate, unexpected, and filled with love.

As always, the band balanced the sadness of the occasion with their signature upbeat humour, cracking jokes about their ending with the warmth and wit that endeared them to fans. From the first strum of "Time's Slipping Away" to the thumping rhythm of "American Adrenaline," the lads delivered a masterful playlist. The crowd swept up in waves of nostalgia, lapped up every moment, proving that the Irish audience is always the loudest.

All that remains to be said now is: Jim, Daniel, Reeve, Dan Lee, and even Ben—thank you for the music, the good times, and good luck on your future journeys!