On September 4, 2024, the Payback Tour made its highly anticipated stop at Winnipeg's Centennial Concert Hall, treating fans to a night of raw, emotional performances from KALEO and special guest Chance Peña. Known for their electrifying blend of blues, rock, and folk, KALEO brought a thunderous energy that reverberated through the theatre, while Peña’s deeply introspective folk-rock opened the night with a quieter intensity.
Opening the night, Texas-born singer-songwriter Chance Peña delivered a set that was intimate and haunting. Peña captivated the audience with his raw, soulful voice and poetic lyricism backed by a full backing band. His nine-song setlist wove through themes of heartache, personal reflection, and resilience, setting an emotional tone for the evening.
Chance Peña. Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography
Peña kicked things off with “Bleeding Out,” a song filled with vulnerability and melancholy, before transitioning to the solemn and bittersweet "Black Bird." The audience was visibly moved as he poured his heart into tracks like "War" and "Whiskey Angel," the latter of which showcased his ability to blend folk with a touch of country soul. The highlight of his set came during "Cold" and "When Life Gets Hard," where Peña's voice soared above delicate acoustic strumming, making the large concert hall feel intensely personal.
The hauntingly beautiful “Sleep Deprivation” and the introspective “I Am Not Who I Was” further deepened the connection Peña established with the crowd, before he ended his set with "Suddenly," leaving a palpable hush in the room as the audience absorbed the sincerity of his lyrics. Peña’s performance was a reminder that sometimes, simplicity speaks louder than anything else.
KALEO’s headlining set felt like an eruption, turning the Centennial Concert Hall into a hotbed of electrified blues rock. Led by the gravelly-voiced Jökull Júlíusson, the Icelandic band wasted no time, launching into “Lonely Cowboy,” a track dripping with Western charm and haunting atmosphere. The raw power of JJ’s voice immediately had the crowd under his spell.
“Broken Bones” followed, kicking the energy up with its infectious rhythm and dark, stomping blues. From the thunderous riffs of "Break My Baby" to the soulful plea of “I Want More,” KALEO’s versatility was on full display, keeping the audience swaying between bluesy ballads and gritty rock anthems.
KALEO. Photos by Samuel Stevens Photography
The mid-set track “Automobile” was a laid-back breather, a folksy tune that provided a brief respite before the band unleashed “Alter Ego” and the swaggering “Hey Gringo,” both full of searing guitar work and pulsating energy. The band’s stage presence was magnetic, with JJ’s commanding vocal range—alternating between gruff growls and spine-tingling falsetto—leading the charge.
KALEO’s major hits were saved for the latter half of the set, and when the opening chords of “Way Down We Go” echoed through the entire theatre, the crowd exploded. JJ’s vocals reverberated throughout the venue, the song’s brooding intensity palpable. The band followed up with the propulsive “Backdoor,” before leaving the stage to roaring applause.
The encore was nothing short of explosive. KALEO returned with the high-octane “No Good,” a fierce, guitar-driven anthem that had the audience on their feet. They closed the night with “Rock ‘n’ Roller,” a fitting finale that left no doubt KALEO had given everything to their performance. The Payback Tour stop in Winnipeg was a masterclass in emotional range, from the introspective acoustic set of Chance Peña to KALEO’s bombastic, blues-infused rock performance. Peña’s delicate, heartfelt songs set the stage beautifully, while KALEO tore it down with their fiery energy and powerful musicianship. For fans of both artists, the night was an unforgettable journey through the many shades of modern rock and folk.