Some shows depend on spectacle to leave an impression. Others trust the songs to do that work on their own. On July 19 at The Pinnacle in Nashville, KALEO made clear which camp they belong to, delivering a set that moved fluidly between thunderous blues-rock and quiet, exposed moments of feeling. With Dawes opening, the night paired two bands built on genuine songwriting, and the result was one of the most emotionally rich shows of the summer.
Dawes took the stage first, playing with the ease of a band that’s long since found its footing. Instead of pushing for volume or spectacle, they drew the crowd in with layered harmonies, patient storytelling, and clean, confident playing. Taylor Goldsmith’s warm, expressive voice gave the songs an intimate feel even as the band’s full arrangements filled the room without ever tipping into excess.
There was an unforced flow to their set, each song sliding easily into the next. Between the quieter ballads and the more driving Americana numbers, Dawes held the room’s attention the whole way through, even getting the crowd to do the wave throughout the entire venue during “Comes in Waves.” Dawes is the kind of opening set that doesn’t just prime the crowd, but leaves them hungry for more.
When the house lights dropped ahead of KALEO’s set, the anticipation in the room turned electric. JJ walked out first to a wall of applause, and as the first notes of the piano hit, it was obvious they owned the space. JJ Julius Son’s voice remains one of the most striking instruments in rock right now, swinging effortlessly from raw, blues-soaked growls to eerie, soaring falsetto, and live, that range hits even harder. He may have the most impressive range in modern music.
Contrast was the engine of KALEO’s set. Heavy, riff-driven passages would crash through the venue, then fall away into stripped-down sections where Julius Son’s voice took center stage. Every player brought something essential to the mix, building songs that felt sweeping and cinematic while staying grounded in classic rock roots.
Naturally, the room exploded the moment the opening riff of “Way Down We Go” hit. With thousands singing every word back, the song became something bigger than a radio hit, a genuine collective moment between band and crowd that lingered well past its last note.
The setlist ranged across the band’s discography, weaving newer tracks in alongside longtime favorites without a seam showing, but the main star was their breakthrough album, A/B being played in its entirety in celebration of its 10th anniversary. Rather than leaning on elaborate staging, KALEO let smart lighting design and sheer musicianship carry the emotional weight of the night. The visuals framed the music instead of competing with it, keeping focus on the intensity of the performances themselves. The light were dark and moody, almost scaled back to give a more intimate feel.
Pacing was one of the night’s biggest strengths. KALEO had a clear sense of when to let loose with searing guitar work and driving rhythms, and when to strip things back down to something quieter and more raw. Those swings kept the crowd locked in from start to finish, never letting the momentum flatten out. There was even some surprises as they switched from their standard album versions of songs like “Automobile” and “Hey, Gringo,” added a little more twang and rock to the mix on the songs. It was a nice switchup.
Once again, The Pinnacle lived up to its reputation as one of Nashville’s top venues. The room’s clarity let every vocal detail, harmonica line, and guitar solo land exactly as intended, giving KALEO’s dense arrangements room to breathe.
By the final chord, the standing ovation felt like a formality, the room had already decided. KALEO reminded everyone that live music doesn’t need massive production or flash to hit hard. A great band with great songs is still enough to leave a lasting mark.
Between Dawes’ warm, well-crafted opening and KALEO’s masterclass in modern blues-rock, July 19 at The Pinnacle turned into a night built on strong songwriting, sharp musicianship, and performances that felt as honest as they were powerful.
KALEO’s Way Down We Go Tour continues through August 21st of 2026. For upcoming shows, visit https://www.officialkaleo.com/tour.
Follow KALEO and Dawes on their socials below:
KALEO: Instagram // Facebook
Dawes: Instagram // Facebook
