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Kaleo and Dawes Turn a Slow Building Tuesday into a Packed House Celebration at The Salt Shed
- Ernesto Raul Aguilar
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
Article and Photos Contributed By Ernesto Raul Aguilar
A Tuesday night at The Salt Shed began with a room that appeared as though it might take its time filling in. Before Dawes took the stage, the crowd was surprisingly sparse, but within minutes the venue transformed into a packed house. What started as a scattered audience quickly became a sea of eager concertgoers, ready for an evening that would blend thoughtful songwriting and blues-infused rock.
Dawes may have opened the evening, but their performance reflected the experience and confidence of a band well accustomed to carrying a show of its own. Opening with "Most People," they immediately established a relaxed but engaging atmosphere. That easygoing energy carried through songs like "Mr. Los Angeles," "Comes in Waves," and "When My Time Comes,” creating a performance that felt inviting rather than overwhelming.
Throughout the set, the band connected effortlessly with the audience. Newcomers were welcomed with humor, while longtime fans were reminded that Dawes has built a catalog spanning almost two decades of music, leaving plenty of opportunities for first-time listeners to dive deeper into their work. The interaction never felt rehearsed or forced, it simply reflected a band comfortable with both its music and its audience.
The most memorable moment came during the closing song, "All Your Favorite Bands." After receiving a message from Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music, where students had been learning the song, the band invited the group onstage to perform alongside them. It became more than a surprise guest appearance; it was a genuine celebration of music's ability to bring artists and aspiring musicians together, providing an emotional conclusion to an already strong opening set.
By the time Kaleo took the stage, anticipation had reached its peak. The Icelandic rock band immediately leaned into the gritty, soulful sound that has become its signature. Opening with "Run No More," followed by a medley of "Bloodline" and "Break My Baby," the band immediately settled into a commanding performance that balanced power with
restraint.
Rather than creating a single unified crowd response, Kaleo encouraged something more organic. Fans danced wherever they stood, sang along with familiar lyrics, and enthusiastically answered during several call-and-response moments when the band stepped back and allowed the audience to carry the next lines.
Several songs stood out throughout the evening, particularly "Vor í Vaglaskógi," which slowed the pace and showcased the audience's emotional connection to the band's music. The quieter performance drew one of the night's strongest reactions, demonstrating that
Kaleo could command just as much attention with subtlety as with volume.
When the band exited the stage after the main set, very few people made for the exits. Instead, the audience remained in place, clapping and cheering until Kaleo returned for an encore. The response to "Way Down We Go" was exactly what one would expect from the band's signature hit, with voices throughout The Salt Shed joining in for one of the night's biggest moments.
Dawes set a high bar, and Kaleo matched it with a performance that more than rewarded the wait. The real strength wasn't any one track, but the way both sets held the room from start to finish. What began as a slow building Tuesday evening had evolved into a packed house celebration, leaving fans with the kind of concert experience that lingers long after the house lights come up.
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