Kodaline delivers superb vocals and musical unity to fans at Camden’s Roundhouse

Since the 2012 release of their debut single, iconic break-up ballad All I Want, Kodaline have been on our minds and on repeat in our playlists. Under the attentive gaze of the packed-out audience at the Roundhouse last night, the Irish indie foursome somehow managed to reach even loftier heights of fan approval.

Newcomer Patrick Martin, the band’s support act, kicked off Kodaline’s final tour date with a flourish of lights and astounding vocals. He seemed to convert the tentative audience to his own brand of pop-rock by the end of the set, with standouts Cinema Lights and Both of You proving unexpectedly catchy anthems.

Opener Follow Your Fire from the latest 2018 album Politics of Living was an electric breakout to the set. Serving up a recognisable blend of gentle guitar symphonies and rock interludes under roving green lights, Kodaline delivered superb vocals and musical unity from the very first song. As familiar with their older music as they are with the new, the band dotingly delivered renditions of earlier classics. Fans of the band’s Britpop beginnings were surely happy with Love Like This and Brand New Day, which was ushered in by pink and blue lights and brought with it nostalgic feelings of new love and summer sun, lighting up the Roundhouse.

A penchant for emotive choruses waxing lyrical about relationships and life’s changes continued throughout the setlist, with fan favourites Brother and Moving On taking pride of place. As Kodaline have grown with their lyrics, so has their audience. One fan shouted over The One that the song will be played at her wedding next year: a sentiment often gushed about their music. 

The performance rounded out gradually, with moments of musical euphoria complemented by quieter ballads. For this crowd, who had been lulled into Kodaline’s introspective world over the last hour or so, an encore was not up for debate. They delivered, with the one that started it all – All I Want – sung more by the audience than the band.

With only instruments and a couple of neon triangles for company, faultless renditions of Kodaline’s extensive discography, which spans almost a decade, were performed in an ultimate demonstration of how live music should be.

Grace Walsh
Photos: Virginie Viche

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

Watch the video for Follow Your Fire here: