Kingfishr at Brixton Academy

The O2 Academy is alive with a buzz of excitement for Kingfishr’s sold-out London show. Following their debut album, Halcyon, released last summer, the Irish trio has risen quickly, and this full room is a testament to the way their revitalised folk sound captivates listeners.

The lights cut to black suddenly, and the band opens with Shadow, immediately bringing the crowd together in song. From the outset, the vocal talent of lead singer Eddie Keogh shines through, his steady vibrato carrying a commanding warmth. 21 stands out as another favourite, with cheers erupting as the first few notes play. It’s a song from the new album that epitomises their style, flowing with nostalgia and tradition that resonate beautifully live.

Once The Blade has slowed down the pace with a mellow, acoustic accompaniment, Keogh warmly addresses the crowd before reappearing moments later in the middle of the venue. The harmonica sounds out the beginning of Shot in the Dark, drawing attention to his place amongst the stalls. Especially as one of Kingfishr’s more mournful ballads, this moment feels entirely intimate, as Keogh encourages an already captivated audience to sing with him.

It seems as though they’ve played all their hits early, as the crowd responds so strongly to each of these tracks, but it doesn’t take long to realise that this energy is kept up throughout, with every performance met by a passionate audience. It demonstrates the impact of Kingfishr’s sound, which balances indie and folk well enough to appeal widely, while their heartfelt lyrics and richly layered instrumentation strike a deep chord.

Even the new and unreleased How Lonely is met with an enthusiastic reception, before the group get back to the classics everyone seems to know and love. Eyes Don’t Lie is another highlight, tenderly introduced as the trio’s first song, written while they were still at college. It’s one of their catchier numbers, and the balanced mix of banjo, drums and Keogh’s belting vocals makes it a brilliant live performance.

As the set comes to a close, Killeagh feels like the loudest the venue has ever been. It draws on the Irish pride and sense of identity that this room clearly connects with as they sing the lyrics back with a force that rivals the band itself. It’s impressive for a group with only one full album and four years under their belt to harness this kind of reaction, and Kingfishr seem bewildered by it.

The energy only continues when they return for the encore, cheered back on stage by football chants. Man on the Moon starts this upbeat diversion from the sombre set, followed by Diamonds & Roses, another track that showcases Kingfishr’s talent. Before finishing with Caroline, Keogh takes a moment to thank the staff, support and crew graciously. “Every single person in this room has changed our lives,” he says as the song begins. Ending on this stunning, wistful high, it feels like a night that has clearly left its mark on everyone in attendance.