December 9th 2024.
As I eagerly made my way to the O2 Kentish Forum on a chilly Sunday night, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness knowing that it would be the last time I would see Sundara Karma perform live. They had been one of my favorite indie rock bands since my youth, and the news of their split had hit me hard. However, as I entered the venue and the familiar tune of East 17's "Stay Another Day" blasted through the speakers, any feelings of melancholy were quickly replaced with excitement and anticipation.
Before long, the band took to the stage and kicked off their final show with a bang, opening with their hit song "A Young Understanding." The energy in the room was electric, with fans throwing pints of beer and a mosh pit forming in the middle of the crowd. This was no somber farewell, but rather a joyous celebration of 13 years of incredible music and the bond between the band members, who had been friends since childhood.
Lead singer Oscar Pollock put on a show to remember, and as the final notes of their last ever performance rang out, the band embraced each other in a heartfelt hug. It was clear that their friendships and shared love for music would endure, even as they went their separate ways.
Comprised of Oscar Pollock, Ally Baty, Dom Cordell, and Haydn Evans, Sundara Karma played a seamless mix of their greatest hits, spanning across their albums. I was a little disappointed that they didn't play one of my personal favorites, "Vivienne," but I couldn't fault their setlist, which was carefully crafted to include their most beloved songs.
Despite having been together for over a decade, the band was far from a polished, well-oiled machine. In fact, they were every bit the carefree rockstars, with mic stands getting knocked over and cables getting tangled as Oscar launched himself into the crowd not once, but twice, during the performance, much to the terror of the security guards.
As I looked around at the crowd, I could tell that we were all in agreement - this was our last chance to revel in the magic of Sundara Karma, and we weren't going to waste it. I'm pretty sure I accidentally hit a few people and possibly even dislocated my shoulder while dancing to "One Last Night on This Earth" - the perfect song to end their set.
But just when we thought it was all over, the band returned for an encore, performing "Explore" and "Flame," two of their most popular songs. It was the perfect way to end the night, and as we all sang along at the top of our lungs, it was bittersweet knowing that it would be the last time we would hear these songs live.
During the show, I was reminded that the band members were now in their late twenties, with Oscar revealing that he was 29. After spending their teenage years and most of their twenties together, it wasn't surprising that they were ready to move on to new adventures. But as I watched them perform with such passion and talent, I couldn't help but feel hopeful for their future, knowing that this was only the beginning of their musical journeys.
In September 2024, Sundara Karma announced that they would be parting ways, stating, "As we've grown, so have our hopes and dreams, and we're ready to explore new things. It's not goodbye to music - it's just time for us to step away from making music as Sundara Karma." And while Oscar did remind us during the show that it was the last time we would hear certain songs, he also added, "We mostly mean it." Who knows, maybe they will regroup in the future, or perhaps they will each go on to pursue their own solo projects. Either way, I have no doubt that they will continue to create incredible music.
As the night came to an end, I couldn't help but feel grateful for having been a part of Sundara Karma's journey. They may have come to an end, but their music will live on, and I'm excited to see what the future holds for these talented individuals. And who knows, maybe one day I'll be able to tell my grandkids that I was there for their final ever concert.
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