LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: SOUTH SUMMIT AT THE O2 ACADEMY 2 ISLINGTON, LONDON 19/05/25
Full photo gallery for South Summit here
Full photo gallery for Tjaka here
In the heart of London, the O2 Academy 2 Islington became a hub for raw, uplifting indie music as Australian outfit South Summit’s The Bliss album tour rolled into town for their first ever UK headline show in the capital.
The night, rich with pure musical talent, began with a performance from one noteworthy opening act - Tjaka - bringing unique flavours to the mix and setting the stage for the band’s exhilarating performance.
South Summit kicked off the evening with ‘Take Me Down,’ setting a fun, energetic tone that resonated throughout the venue, followed by the single ‘Catacombs’, bringing deep bass lines, groovy guitars and strong melodic elements, getting the audience moving from the start.
Formed in 2020, the dynamic five-piece band from Perth, Australia, is known for their genre-blending sound that fuses indie rock, reggae, and hip-hop influences. But despite their fairly recent formation, their music has already resonated with a global audience, amassing over 2 million streams across various platforms.
More songs from their debut album The Bliss (2024) followed, with ‘Currents’ - a song about going home - and the reggae-inspired track ’Mr. Mr’. Unsurprisingly, their older materials, ‘Just Like You’ (2023), the fan favourite ‘River Days’ - their highest streamed song to date, which brought high energy and singalong - and ‘Runaway’ (2022) performed next received very good reception from the fans.
South Summit is the kind of band that proves you don't need decades of history to deliver a tight, unforgettable live show. Indeed, the five-piece indie rock group has already developed a chemistry on stage that rivals seasoned acts, commanding the crowd with a confident energy. The quintet’s dynamic stage presence was evident as they seamlessly transitioned between songs, as ‘Holy Cascade’, ‘Ottawa’, followed, engaging the crowd with their infectious energy. Lead vocalist Isaiah Reuben also frequently interacted with fans, expressing gratitude for the warm reception.
The band then paid tribute to rock legends The Police and performed their own rendition of ‘Roxanne’, followed by a slightly older track ‘Sidelines’ from their 2023 EP Tales of the Yeti. The live rendition of ‘Givin’ It Up’ during the encore stood out, with its reggae-infused rhythms prompting the audience to sing and dance along. The show was closed with the crowd favourite ‘Exceptional’, ending what can be described as a remarkably fun and entertaining show on a high note.
South Summit's performance tonight was a testament to their rising prominence in the global music scene. Their genre-defying sound, combined with genuine audience engagement and high-caliber musicianship, left a lasting impression, delivering a 80-minutes set of endorphin boosts to the O2 Academy 2 Islington.
Words: Florelle Servageon
Photos: Justyna Serafin
Full setlist below:
Take Me Down
Catacombs
Currents
Mr. Mr.
Just Like You
River Days
Runaway
Holy Cascade
Ottoway
We Are the Lions
Roxanne
Sidelines
Givin' It Up
Exceptional
