Liverpool indie-rock band Circa Waves head to The 1865 in Southampton to play their penultimate gig of their UK Tour.
Circa Waves recently made their return with their new album Death & Love, Pt.1. With this new era, we had the chance to see them live at the 1865 in Southampton, where they gave it their all.
All photos and words by Micha Thompson.
CORELLA
The first support act was Corella: the Manchester-based five-piece who are ones to watch out for. The energy from both the band and the audience was unstoppable. Known for their insane performances at festivals, the 800-capacity venue did not restrict them. The crowd favourite was the final song, Barcelona Girl. Joel (lead singer) dove into the mosh pit to join the fans. With an undeniable connection between the band and the audience, it’s clear the crowd could have watched Corella perform all day long.
PEACE
The second support act: Peace, brought the venue to a great blend between an upbeat and reflective vibe. Responding to a fan request, they performed Lost on Me. Despite the band claiming their performance was ‘unrehearsed’, they played it flawlessly, with backing vocals from the other members. Lead singer Harrison Koisser then followed with:
“You guys have been fucking amazing, probably the best crowd we’ve had on the tour”.
A standout moment from their set was Lovesick, which was featured in Netflix’s Heartstopper and had the crowd moving under dreamy purple and pink lighting. Peace proved themselves as a fitting support for Circa Waves, setting the tone for an unforgettable night.
CIRCA WAVES
Circa Waves got the night going with Do You Wanna Talk. Kieran Shuddal immediately opens the set with enticing vocals, hyping the crowd up for the act they’d been looking forward to seeing. Bathed in a deep red lighting that complemented the song’s themes of love and longing, the performance feels both electrifying and intimate. As an opening track, it was the perfect choice; leaving a lasting impression and setting the stage for an unforgettable show.
Let’s Leave Together incorporated Shuddal’s vocals with the luminous blue lighting, there wasn’t a silent person in the crowd. The stage presence in this song is phenomenal and it set high expectations for what else to expect in the show.
Move To San Francisco involved a powerful drum beat, fused with beautiful backing vocals shining again from Joe Falconer. Kieran got the crowd clapping and singing with him acoustically towards the end of the song. The 1865 was filled with glorious vocals.
Lemonade had the crowd with their arms around one another, swaying and waving their arms. It brought the vibe to a more relaxed setting. Lemonade had the crowd with their arms around one another, swaying and waving their arms in unison. The song created a more laid-back and relaxed atmosphere, offering a heartfelt moment of connection. As the melodic instruments filled the venue, fans sang along, fully immersed in the music.
UNMATCHED ENERGY
Just when it seemed like the night had come to an end, the band made their way back on stage for a high-energy encore featuring Fire That Burns, Carry You Home, Be Your Drug and of course, T-Shirt Weather. Fire That Burns was the first song in the encore, which particularly stood out with its rocky beat and energy from the band. The grand finale? T-Shirt Weather—the only appropriate way to close the show. Just over a decade since its release, the 2015 anthem remains as exciting as ever.
Circa Waves brought a night packed with electrifying energy, infectious anthems, and a crowd that never stood still. From start to finish, their performance was a testament to their ability to turn any venue into an adrenaline-fueled experience. As the final notes rang out and the band left the stage, one thing was left clear—Circa Waves certainly know how to put on a show.
Circa Waves continue their tour into America in April. You can find forthcoming tour dates here.
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