Kaleo Celebrate 10-year Anniversary of ‘Way Down We Go’

We headed to Chateau Ste. Michelle to enjoy another summer concert beginning the Fourth of July weekend with two artists who have carved out distinct places in the music scene. The winery’s lawns were full of people settling in for Kaleo’s Way Down We Go ten-year anniversary tour, a celebration of the song that launched them into international fame. The last time we saw either artist was in 2016, so we were thrilled to catch them again after so many years.

Elle King opened the night and seeing her again felt like revisiting a chapter of the mid 2010s when her rise was impossible to ignore. Born Tanner Elle Schneider, she grew up surrounded by music and performance, eventually blending rock, country, soul, and pop into a sound that is unmistakably hers. Her debut album Love Stuff introduced her to the world with “Exe’s and Oh’s,” a song that earned Grammy nominations and became one of the defining hits of the decade. King has always been an artist who performs with her whole personality, and tonight was no exception.

She walked onstage wearing a sailor hat, an oversized football jersey, shorts, and sunglasses to match the lingering sunlight. It was her actual birthday, and when she shared it, the crowd sang to her in celebration. It felt like the perfect way for her to spend the day, doing what she loves and sharing it with a joyful audience. Her set was lively and familiar, filled with the songs that made her a household name. Hearing “Exe’s and Oh’s” again with a crowd singing along brought back memories of her early rise and reminded me how much fun her shows are.

Kaleo followed, and their story remains one of the most impressive in modern rock. Formed in 2012 in Mosfellsbaer, Iceland, the band began as childhood friends who grew up playing music together. Frontman Jökull Júlíusson, bassist Daníel Kristjánsson, drummer Davíð Antonsson, guitarist Rubin Pollock, and keyboardist Þorleifur Davíðsson built their sound around blues rock, folk, and Americana influences, creating music that feels rooted in tradition yet shaped by the stark beauty of their homeland.

Their eponymous debut album introduced them to the world, but it was their second A/B that launched them into fame with “Way Down We Go.” The song appeared in countless films, television shows, and trailers, pushing the band into global recognition. They have spent the last decade touring extensively, performing at festivals around the world, and even returning to Iceland for special shows that highlight the landscapes that shaped them. They recently played an incredible set at the historic Thingvellir for the summer solstice, a performance worth watching for the scenery alone.

Tonight’s show felt like a celebration of everything they have built. Around seven thirty, Kaleo took the stage and opened with “Still No Good.” Júlíusson stood at the center wearing a tan hat decorated with hand drawn scribbles, including cigarettes both used and new. His long golden hair often fell back just enough to reveal feathered earrings that caught the light. He wore a red western shirt and leather boots, giving him a look that felt more American South than Icelandic North. Antonsson sat slightly elevated with a drum set featuring the band’s logo, and to the side of the stage a Kaleo emblem paid homage to the mountain in Iceland that has become part of their visual identity. The band members stood on raised platforms on each side while Júlíusson held the center alone, commanding the space with his voice.

Fans swayed and sang along, carried by the warmth and grit of his tone. One of the early highlights was “Save Yourself,” delivered with such raw emotion that the entire crowd seemed to hold its breath. Later in the set they performed “Vor” in Icelandic, a beautiful moment that connected the audience to their heritage. They closed the main set with “No Good,” a song that always hits with full force.

The encore began with the song everyone had been waiting for. “Way Down We Go” echoed across the fields, Júlíusson’s voice rising and falling with a haunting resonance that mesmerized the entire winery. It was the kind of moment that reminds you why certain songs endure for years. They ended the night with “Glass House” and “Rock n Roller,” sending the crowd into the holiday weekend with a final burst of energy.

It had been a long time since I had seen either artist, and experiencing them again on the same night felt special. The evening was full of great music, expressive performances, and a crowd that embraced every moment. Kaleo’s anniversary tour brought a sense of reflection and celebration, and Elle King’s birthday performance added a layer of joy to the night. Chateau Ste. Michelle once again proved to be the perfect place for summer concerts, and this show was a beautiful start to the weekend.