Music

Review: Sundara Karma play their biggest ever headline show

Indie-rock band and rising stars Sundara Karma played their biggest show to date at London’s O2 Shepherds Bush Empire and we went along to join the party.

In just a little under two years, Reading natives Sundara Karma have propelled themselves into indie rock stardom. With their debut album, Youth Is Only Ever Fun In Retrospect, released in January there is no stopping these lads. So on a cold Friday night, we head to West London for what will turn out to be an absolute party.

The room is filled with anxiously waiting fans, packed from top to bottom before even the first support comes on. Psychedelic four-piece Palm Honey kick the night off with a set that instantly has the room bouncing. Next up Will Joseph Cook, who turns up the heat with his catchy pop tunes. His latest single Beach (I Wanna Make You Mine) unleashes its infectious melody. He has a busy year ahead of him with his own headline tour coming up in May.

Just before the headliners take to the stage we get a glimpse of the celebration to come. Multiple balloons, big and small, make their way onto the stage at the West London venue. Then it’s time. Gwen Stefani’s Hollaback Girl comes on through the speakers and the party is on. With the first notes of A Young Understanding the crowd goes ballistic and doesn’t stop until long after the last note from the 15-track set is played.

One thing you just have to love about new and upcoming bands is the energy and enthusiasm they display on stage, their genuine love to be there and their readiness to entertain and soak up everything the audience has to offer. Their fans easily engage and relate to the band’s lyrics, shouting their hearts out to every single line of every song. The O2 Shepherds Bush Empire is filled to the brim and the band have everyone off their seats. The balcony are literally bouncing beneath our feet and even the top tier is entirely on board.

There are balloons, there’s confetti, every person on every floor is dancing and there’s even a few mosh-pits going on. The four indie rockers couldn’t have asked for a better night to play their milestone show. What a party!

You can catch Sundara Karma at Reading & Leeds Festival this year where they’ll join a massive line up. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.co.uk.