Photo Credit: Evie Smith
Words: Izzy Hayden

A band much-talked about for their wit, chaos and thrilling live-shows, The Kairos made sure that the final stop on tour at their hometown of Liverpool would be an unforgettable night. 

With an Indie-gig goers dream lineup The Slates immediately brought the noise. Booming bass and riffs that could take on stadiums is their speciality similar to the second support act Florentenes who filled the room with energy. Much-loved track ‘The Gun’ sounds like it could’ve fallen off any action movie soundtrack, fast and electric, it won’t be long till they return as headliners. 

Having a pre-show playlist as good as The Kairos is near difficult, the venue echoed with fans singing along to Fontaines D.C and Oasis. Already itching with excitement it’s obvious from the moment they waltz onto stage that this will be a high-energy crowd. 

Creating a huge mosh pit immediately, ‘Suspend’ sends fans wild. Roaring guitar hooks make the track the perfect starting point for a gig, already the entire venue is exhilarated but the best is still yet to come. 

“No Kairos, No Party” a chant begins while they make their way through hits like ‘Tell Me Twice’ and ‘Lazy Lathargic.’ A standout ‘Squeeze’ sees lead guitarist Lewis Chambers make complex riffs look completely effortless while frontman Tom Demspey is charismatic, playing his guitar while waving it in the air, again something that takes a lot of skill but he makes look so easy. 

“I dedicate this one to my little sister,” Dempsey laughs looking up at the VIP section, “It’s called Never Met A Mess Like You.” The yet to be released single has the same explosive atmosphere as most of their discography and is certainly one that will find its way straight into everyone’s playlists. 

Sharp guitar backed by fierce drums make ‘Rat Race’ a haunting track, one that completely changes the vibe of the gig. Focusing on the way people fight for wealth and get “stuck running in the rat race,” Dempsey’s vocals are powerful and it’s obvious that the lyrics resonate with the crowd who belt every work back at them. 

Throwing it back to their 2023 EP ‘Better Late Than Never,’ the heartfelt ‘Trip Through The Night’ follows. Letting the audience sing an entire verse, the room is filled with fans on their friends shoulders, overjoyed to get to hear one that isn’t always on the setlist but is definitely a fan favorite. 

It would be wrong to end the gig with anything other than ‘Punchline Fistfight’ the exhilarating track that pushed The Kairos into the limelight. Lawless, the pit opens up bigger than it has all night. The boldest song on the setlist, the room shakes with energy from not only the band who give it their all one last time but also from fans who don’t want the gig to end.