Irish band Kingfishr from Limerick had the floor shaking at the O2 Forum Kentish Town on December 4th 2025. The trio – engineering students Eddie Keogh (vocals/guitar), Eoghan McGrath (banjo) and Eoin Fitzgibbon (bass/guitar) – first crossed paths at university in 2017 and began making music together during lockdown, eventually turning their hobby into a full-time career. Blending indie folk with a distinctive Celtic edge, the trio has carved out a sound of their own. Their hit ‘Killeagh’ reached number one on the Irish single charts in 2025, helping them rack up more than 200 million global streams.
The trio was supported by Jack Cullen, a British-Irish singer-songwriter and former professional rugby player known for his acoustic-driven, intimate songwriting. Early in his set, Cullen joked about the backdrop on stage, claiming he had painted it himself. His set – and his songs – felt raw and confessional, laced with a touch of folk and carried by a powerful voice that reminds of artists like Noah Kahan. With just a drummer and guitarist by his side, he still filled the stage, holding the room‘s attention, giving the set a stripped-back and personal feel. Between songs, Cullen reflected on his time touring with Kingfishr, telling the audience that he had the best time on tour and thanking the trio for bringing him along. His set included a cover of Olivia Dean’s ‘Man I Need’, encouraging the crowd to sing with him. He also spoke about his EP Everything, released in September 2025, explaining that the EP is about ‘‘everyone that’s everything to me“. Cullen also went on to share the story behind his song ‘12’, explaining that he completed a challenge of running 12 marathons in 12 days to raise money for charity. He also hinted at what’s next, telling the crowd that he’ll be back on the road next year, giving fans another chance to see him live. His set felt intimate, warm and deeply personal – an ideal way to open the night for Kingfishr.
Taking their name from the Kingfisher – a bird native to Ireland – Kingfishr write, produce and record their music in a home studio on a farm, a setting that seeps into their music and gives their live shows a distinctly warm and homely feel. ‘‘Are there any Irish in the house?“ Keogh called out early on, and the response was immediate: a wave of cheers that set the tone for the rest of the night. From that moment, the audience was locked in – fully immersed in the performance. Phones lit up the room, people sang every word, danced and clapped along to almost every track. Early into their set, the trio even stepped off the stage and went into the crowd for ‘Shot In The Dark’, performing in the middle of their fans as phone lights turned the room into a sea of stars. ‘‘And if it all falls apart, at least we enjoyed it. God knows I loved it,“ Keogh sang, the crowd singing the words back at him. His vocals were powerful, perfectly complementing the band’s folk-infused rock sound. Between songs, Keogh spoke openly about his old day job and the dream of being a musician, talking about how grateful he is for making this dream come true.
‘‘Music isn‘t supposed to be serious. It’s supposed to be a bit of a laugh. Thanks for giving us this opportunity.“ he said before launching into ‘Gloria’. During the show, he reflected on the past year of constant travel and gigs, pausing to thank their team and the fans: ‘‘You’ve changed our lives. I can never get it out of me how thankful we are.“ The affection the band has for their audience was obvious and the crowd seemed to send that love right back at them. Before they even struck the first chord of ‘Killeagh’, their biggest hit, the balcony had already erupted into a stand ovation, leaving the band briefly lost for words. The song itself took things even higher: the entire balcony was on its feet, singing and swaying, the floor of the O2 Forum Kentish Town literally shaking – something I‘ve never experienced before, and not exactly what security would hope for given that standing on the balcony is usually off limits. However, in that moment, the room was charged with an atmosphere of belonging and togetherness, everyone sang as one, creating a genuinely unforgettable moment.
Their set was simple – no elaborate staging or dramatic production – but what the trio lacked in spectacle, they made up for with Keogh’s powerful vocals, his charisma when involving the crowd, and the energy radiating from the trio and their three session musicians. The whole night felt like a giant sing-along in a cosy Irish pub. The setlist balanced high-energy tracks with quieter, more vulnerable moments, yet the audience stayed locked in throughout the whole night, belting out every chorus and lighting up the room whenever it felt right. Keogh’s soulful voice, the band’s heartfelt songwriting, as well as their folk-laced rock tunes made a show that never lost its impact from the first song to the last. Walking out of the O2 Forum that night, it was clear that everyone inside that room had shared something special – a night of music, gratitude and genuine connection that would linger with those who were there. It was a reminder of how powerful live music can be when artist and audience breathe as one. In a world that often feels noisy and rushed, Kingfishr gave fans in attendance ninety minutes of pure presence and togetherness, making it clear that their journey is only just beginning.
Words and photos by Nadine Goetz.
