Circa Waves at Brixton Academy

There’s something wildly joyful about a Circa Waves show, no matter the season. From the moment the band are announced onto the stage at Brixton Academy with a pre-recorded intro, the energy in the air is undeniable. A backdrop of glittering lights is quickly replaced by a wall of blaring red strobes for set opener Do You Wanna Talk, an energetic and vibrant introduction to the evening. As streamers are launched across the crowd just two songs in, it becomes clear from the get-go that the Liverpool natives are here to deliver a show to remember.

Movies, a hands-in-the-air anthem, is an early highlight, while the infectious beat of Sad Happy gets the crowd jumping. There’s a bit of a lull in the middle, as the band deviate from the hits, before bringing the vigour back with the dynamic sound of Goodbye. Declaring that they’ve brought the song back for this tour, frontman Kieran Shudall encourages fans to lose their inhibitions and make it “the biggest song of the night” – not that they need much encouragement.

New tracks from their latest album blend seamlessly with fan favourites, proving that although Circa Waves may be evolving, their core appeal remains unchanged. While many artists build tours around showcasing their latest releases, the Liverpool quartet understand their legacy. As frontman Kieran Shudall declares mid-set, tonight is just as much about celebrating the old as it is the new.

Six albums in, Circa Waves are still proving their worth. A false start on La Bateau may have derailed a less experienced band, but the quartet keep things moving with a side of a cappella. While their futuristic, strobe-heavy lighting rig adds to the evening’s spectacle, it is their seasoned stage presence – honed from years of festival slots and indie-scene prominence – that truly commands the night. It may not be the most revolutionary of set lists, but sometimes all one needs on a cold winter night is good tunes and a couple of mosh pits.

As the evening draws to a close, only one song could end things on the right kind of high. The crowd erupts into cheers and applause as the first notes of the band’s biggest hit, T-Shirt Weather, echo through the venue. It’s a timeless classic and a masterclass in why Circa Waves remain one of indie rock’s most consistently brilliant live acts.

Katherine Parry
Photos: Virginie Viche

For further information and future events visit Circa Waves’s website here.

Watch the video for We Made It here: