British indie band Kawala have announced their split after ten years together as a band.
Taking to Instagram on Thursday, they shared the sad news with their fans and admitted they had made the difficult decision to call it quits.
Despite their upcoming tour, which has now become a farewell tour, they confessed that they are “exhausted” and need a break to focus on their future.
Originally from North London, the group was formed in 2015 by lead vocalist Jim Higson and guitarist and vocalist Daniel McCarthy.
After studying music in Leeds, the pair returned to the capital, where they expanded Kawala to five members alongside lead guitarist Dan Lee, bassist Reeve Coulson and drummer Ben Batten.
Sharing a statement, they wrote: “After almost a decade of Kawala, we have decided to make the truly heartbreaking decision that after our February tour, we will be hanging up our boots.
British indie band Kawala have split after ten years together as they admit to being “exhausted” as they announced their final farewell tour on Thursday (pictured in 2020).
Sharing a statement, they wrote: “After almost a decade of Kawala, we have decided to make the truly heartbreaking decision that after our February tour, we will be hanging up our boots.”
‘There are a world of reasons why we have landed here and believe us when we say that we have not made this decision lightly.
“While there is plenty of time to address all of those reasons, the truth is that we are feeling tired, a little burned out, and desperately need a break to determine what the future holds.”
And they added: “We truly leave behind the best years of our lives.”
Over their ten-year career, the band racked up hundreds of millions of streams and sold out tours across the UK, Ireland and Europe.
Originally from North London, the group also achieved their dream of selling out Kentish Town Forum and sold out Outernet London in May.
Her debut album Better With You debuted at number 29 on the UK charts, sandwiched between Adele and Dolly Parton, and her single Ticket To Ride made it onto the FIFA 21 soundtrack.
Thanking their fans, they added: “But most importantly, the best fan community anyone could ask for.”
The band will release The Kawala Collection on January 31, featuring nine tracks before embarking on their UK farewell tour and a final date in Amsterdam.
Originally from North London, the group also achieved their dream of selling out Kentish Town Forum and sold out Outernet London in May (pictured).
The band will release The Kawala Collection on January 31, featuring nine tracks before embarking on their UK farewell tour and a final date in Amsterdam.
Sharing a video message with his fans, Daniel said: “It’s incredibly sad, but we feel like it’s probably the right time.”
They will play at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on February 13
Sharing a video message with his fans, Daniel said: “It’s incredibly sad, but we feel like it’s probably the right time.”
Jim said: “It’s been an incredibly difficult decision to make, we don’t take it lightly at all, but it’s come to a point where we’re feeling a little burned out.”
Speaking about the challenges they faced, Daniel continued: ‘Being an artist has felt harder in more recent times and we have found it a little more challenging and exhausting.
‘We have literally all achieved all the goals we set out to achieve. The Kentish Town Forum, which was always a dream, played in front of thousands and thousands of people, was sold out.
“We’ve played main stages at festivals and have 100 million streams.”
Jim added: “It never seemed real when you played a show and for some reason we always expected it to be an empty room.
Fans were left heartbroken by the news and took to the comments to share their sadness.
‘We fill these rooms and spaces and then we meet the fans and they say the most wonderful things about the music that we write in our rooms and that seems to connect with people. “He always left us speechless.”
Fans were left heartbroken by the news and took to the comments to share their sadness.
They wrote: ‘So gutted. Thank you for making such incredible music that eased some pretty difficult times’;
‘Oh, GUYS! How I’ll miss them in shitty backstages at muddy festivals, happy and happy that they made a decision that feels right to everyone. Much love xxx’;
‘I will always love you, see you in February’; ‘How sad that we will surely be at one of your last shows!’