By Bianca Fernandes 
Icelandic rock band KALEO will perform in South Africa for the first time in February 2027, bringing their “Way Down We Go Tour” to Cape Town and Johannesburg. The Grammy-nominated group, best known for the international hit “Way Down We Go”, will play at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town on 4 February, followed by a performance at Marks Park in Johannesburg on 6 February.
Formed in Mosfellsbær, near Reykjavík, in 2012, KALEO consists of vocalist and guitarist JJ Julius Son, drummer David Antonsson, bassist Daniel Kristjansson and guitarist Rubin Pollock. The band have developed a distinctive sound that combines blues-rock, folk influences and melodic rock, earning them an international following.
Their breakthrough came with the 2016 album “A/B”, which featured the singles “Way Down We Go”, “All the Pretty Girls” and “No Good”. The success of the record established KALEO as an international act, with “Way Down We Go” becoming their signature song. The track has accumulated almost four billion streams worldwide and featured in millions of TikTok videos, as well as numerous film, television and advertising productions.
KALEO have since amassed more than six billion streams globally and received over 70 international Gold, Platinum and Diamond certifications. Their touring history includes appearances at major festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, alongside headline tours across North America, Europe and other territories.
Their catalogue now spans four studio albums, including “Mixed Emotions”, released in 2025. In June 2026, the band marked the tenth anniversary of “A/B” with a deluxe edition featuring live performances and previously unreleased studio recordings. The anniversary release provides a backdrop to the “Way Down We Go Tour”, which celebrates the album that brought the Icelandic group to international prominence.
KALEO’s music has also reached audiences through television series including “Yellowstone”, “The Morning Show”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Law & Order” and “Suits”. Their songs have appeared in video games from the FIFA, Madden NFL and NHL franchises, further extending their reach beyond traditional album sales and live performances.
The South African concerts will mark the band’s first appearances in the country. In a statement, the group said they had wanted to visit South Africa for a long time and described the opportunity to perform in Cape Town and Johannesburg as particularly meaningful. They added that they were looking forward to meeting local audiences and bringing their live show to the country for the first time.
The Cape Town concert will take place at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on Thursday, 4 February 2027, with the event scheduled to run from 18:00 to 22:00. Support acts have yet to be announced.
The Johannesburg show is scheduled for Saturday, 6 February 2027, at Marks Park in Emmarentia, with performances running from 14:00 to 21:00. South African acts Kongos and Ross Learmonth are among the announced performers, with further names to be confirmed.
Norman van den Wildenberg