KALEO, an Icelandic blues rock band formed in 2012, took the stage on The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York as part of their highly anticipated “Payback Tour”. The intimate rooftop setting features views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building, and paired with lead singer Jökull Júlíusson’s (“JJ”) New York Yankees inspired outfit, giving the ultimate nod of appreciation to the city and allowing the audience to feel like an integral part of the show.

The night opened with their most recent single titled “USA Today”, which speaks to the epidemic of gun violence in America through conscientiously crafted lyrics that tugs on heartstrings and shines a light on the need for humanity in today’s America - which certainly packs a punch when you’re performing in North America.

KALEO also performed their song “Vor í Vaglaskógi”, sung entirely in Icelandic, and translates to “Spring in Vaglaskogur” which is a forest located in Iceland, and an ode to the land and its breathtaking landscapes.

During this extraordinary performance, the band certainly showcased their talents by seamlessly interweaving their raw bluesy rock sound (with songs like “Break My Baby” and “Hey Gringo”) into softer acoustic moments (like “All The Pretty Girls”) that kept the audience engaged and in awe of their incredible talents.

Singer Chance Peña was the supporting act for the night, performing hit singles like “In My Room” and “The Mountain is You”