KALEO • September 1, 2025 • Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater • Deer Valley
Reviewed and Photographed by Nate Bonney
Under a sky slowly fading into twilight and surrounded by the breathtaking Wasatch Mountains, KALEO delivered a soul-stirring performance at Deer Valley Resort on September 1st, 2025. With the natural amphitheater of Deer Valley as the backdrop, Iceland’s genre-bending rockers transformed the serene landscape into a smoky, blues-drenched sonic experience that left the crowd buzzing long after the encore.
Opening with the gritty, stomping energy of “Bloodline”, frontman JJ Julius Son immediately commanded the stage with his signature raspy vocals and brooding intensity. The band wasted no time diving into “Break My Baby” and the explosive “Broken Bones.“ This saw the crowd erupt into movement. Heads nodding in rhythm as Julius Son’s slide guitar screamed across the mountain air.
Though known for their fiery rock sound, KALEO proved yet again their gift for nuance. The hush fell over the crowd during the tender, haunting performance of “All the Pretty Girls” and “Automobile.“ With Julius Son’s falsetto cutting through the crisp evening air like a whisper. Couples swayed, phones lit the night, and the intimacy of the moment made the sprawling venue feel like a small-town bar.
Mid-set, “Hey Gringo” and “Hot Blood” brought the tempo back up, reminding fans of KALEO’s blues-rock prowess. Then came “Lonely Cowboy” — a newer addition to their live shows — showcasing a western-tinged melancholy that fit perfectly in the high desert surroundings.
Perhaps the most mesmerizing moment of the night came with the Icelandic ballad “Vor í Vaglaskógi”. Even for those unfamiliar with the language, the emotion in Julius Son’s voice and the atmospheric arrangement spoke volumes. It was a rare and beautiful moment of cultural connection, met with reverent silence and a long, heartfelt ovation.
The politically charged “USA Today” was delivered with just the right edge, followed by the aching vulnerability of “I Can’t Go On Without You” — a crowd favorite that built from soft strums to a dramatic, cathartic crescendo. “Skinny”, with its moody elegance, felt like a hymn, while “Way Down We Go” had the entire venue singing in unison, a shared anthem echoing off the slopes.
KALEO closed the main set with “No Good”, unleashing full throttle rock and roll energy, guitars howling, and Julius Son channeling raw emotion through every note.
But the night wasn’t over yet.
Returning for a two-song encore, the band tore into “Back Door”, a newer cut filled with swampy groove, before capping the evening with “Rock ‘n’ Roller”, an unabashedly raucous finish that left the crowd on their feet and cheering long after the final chord rang out.
From searing guitar solos to quiet, intimate moments, KALEO’s Deer Valley show was a masterclass in musical dynamics and emotional storytelling. They proved, once again, that they’re not just a band that plays songs — they summon storms, paint landscapes, and make you feel every lyric.
Setlist:
- Bloodline
- Break My Baby
- Broken Bones
- All the Pretty Girls
- Automobile
- Hey Gringo
- Hot Blood
- Lonely Cowboy
- Vor í Vaglaskógi
- USA Today
- I Can’t Go On Without You
- Skinny
- Way Down We Go
- No Good
Encore: - Back Door
- Rock ‘n’ Roller