Hollow Coves (Live Review) – Finding their Feet
A hush falls over the already full auditorium, bathed in a soft blue light, as the iconic O2 Kentish Town prepares to host what promises to be an unforgettable night of indie folk.
Garrett Kato started the evening with his thoughtful, gentle set of songs. This affable songwriter, originally from Vancouver and now living in Byron Bay, tells us ‘It’s so nice to be back in London’ and the size of the audience – in Garrett’s words, ‘from hundreds to thousands’ – is evidently a formidable realization.
Kato kicks off his set with ‘Never Seen the Promised Land,’ establishing the mood with a collection of intimate, relatable songs that reveal his vulnerability to the captivated audience. They sit in rapt attention, hanging on every word as Kato confidently finger-picks and strums, creating a warm atmosphere at the O2. With ease, he delivers love songs and emotive narratives, connecting deeply with his listeners.
With his richly toned voice and skillful, comfortable guitar playing, he's poised for greatness. We're eagerly anticipating his big hit just around the corner."
Much like the breakers around Byron Bay itself, Kato’s rich, smooth voice effortlessly rolls around the pretty melodies and gently washes over the Kentish Town crowd. Then, joined on stage by the Swedish singer/songwriter Elina, they deliver a beautiful duet. Her clear, pure vocals contrast effectively with his full, round, warm tones. As they finish in unison, this tender love song weaves its magic among the spellbound masses. When Kato adds a harmonica riff as strong and sure as his resonant, powerful singing, the audience cheers wildly (we obviously missed something special here).
With his richly toned voice and skillful, comfortable guitar playing, he's poised for greatness"
Kato’s music boasts memorable hooks and catchy riffs that stick with you, while his lyrics tug at the heartstrings. With his richly toned voice and skillful, comfortable guitar playing, he’s poised for greatness. We’re eagerly anticipating his big hit just around the corner.
After a short break, during which the anticipatory buzz grows louder and more insistent than ever, the crowd eagerly awaits Ryan Henderson and Matt Carins, aka Hollow Coves. This band from down under is selling out shows across Europe, the UK, and the USA with their Nothing To Lose Tour, which also showcases their latest album of the same name.
As a cacophony of electronic sound waves and flashes teases our senses into a dreamlike state, light beams slash through the auditorium like rapier blades as they take the stage. The all-age, all-style audience, drawn together by the enchanting duo, immediately begins to clap along to Tom’s heavy drumbeat, their soft vocals echoing an octave apart as they launch into ‘Nothing To Lose’. The sound is smooth and mellow, the vibe relaxed and harmonious.
The joy they sing through their beautiful harmonies and the lightness they bring through their performance is as strong and bright as the Aussie sunshine."
Ryan kicks off with the traditional, ‘London, how are we feeling?’ followed by a more emotionally honest remark, ‘There’s a lot of people in this room!’ Next up is ‘The Woods,’ and as Chris steps out from the wilderness to share the limelight, we at 1st 3 Magazine are reminded of the great Trevor and Simon and their well-loved ‘swing your pants’ days. We are drawn in around the fire by their eclectic, free-spirited guitarist, to share the love, stories, and bonhomie that come with a campfire. The warmth of the flames spreads out to us all as we are bathed in an orange glow, and once again, huge cheers emanate from the audience as Ryan plays his harmonica (we were still missing something here, but it’s fun).
This truly is feel-good music."
In the gentlest of tones, Hollow Coves assure us we’re going to ‘have a lovely night together’ – and let me tell you, we believe them. The joy they express through their beautiful harmonies and the lightness they bring to their performance is as strong and bright as the Aussie sunshine. ‘Letting Go’ follows, folk at its simple best, with two guitars and two voices delivering wholesome, effortless melodies and harmonies. This truly is feel-good music.
There is intense emotion here tonight - whatever you may be feeling is intensified by their woven tales of love, longing, having, and not having."
The fingerpicking is so perfectly executed, the harmonies so natural one could sing alongside happily, that the pure elation of creating this music together is awe-inspiring to be part of. Not merely is the impressive musicianship of all on stage so special – it is Hollow Coves’ ability to create this feeling of interconnectedness. There is intense emotion here tonight – whatever you may be feeling is intensified by their woven tales of love, longing, having, and not having – that the large audience feels somehow private, intimate, that they belong to each other and in this space. Emotions flow freely as the songs range from delicate and sensitively tentative to euphoric and exhilarated.
Hollow Coves' voices are akin to the perfect pairing of lamingtons and tea, strawberries and cream."
Halfway through the set, Ryan calls for quiet and a hush descends. Matt’s high range rings out a capella before Ryan joins him, their voices perfectly matched, infusing each line with a depth of feeling born of true talent. Hollow Coves’ voices are akin to the perfect pairing of lamingtons and tea, strawberries and cream; they complement each other flawlessly. Combined with some lovely lyrical guitar lines, beautifully vibrant, relatable lyrics, and hooks that anchor the soul, an evening with Hollow Coves is a masterclass in musical storytelling—a dreamy realm where emotions flow freely, melodies linger, and voices rise in unity and humanity.
Even in a world filled with chaos, uncertainty, and doubt, the magic of music will always be bigger, stronger, and better. Tonight, Hollow Coves bring us reflection, contentment and a dream of peace.
Hollow Coves played O2 Kentish Town 16.04.24 with support from Garrett Kato
