Kevin Kaarl has spent the past year performing sold-out shows across the U.S. and Mexico, mending broken hearts with his emotional blend of folk and rock at every stop. Last night, the rising music hero took on the House of Blues in Anaheim, filling the venue with his nostalgic sounds and wistful anthems as part of his Ultra Sodade tour.
“To have done a tour that’s literally visited each corner of the U.S. means a lot for my music career,” he told Rolling Stone backstage. “That means people are liking and connecting with my music and that’s very fulfilling for me.”
Kaarl, who hails from Meoqui, Chihuahua, walked out to the stage in a mechanic’s jumpsuit. He playfully told the audience in Spanish, “I came out in the outfit not to repair cars, but to fix broken hearts.” The majority of the songs from his two-hour set were from his third album, Ultra Sodade, which was released on Valentine’s Day this year. With a guitar in hand, Kaarl’s soulful voice filled as fans sang along to songs, like the electrifying “Esta Noche” and the piercing “No Me Culpes Por Sentir.”
Kaarl is aware that most of his fans are Mexicans from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. He took a moment during the show to dedicate the heartfelt “Es Que Yo Te Quiero A Ti” to the “people that are no longer with us” and the “families that have been separated.” The latter comment was a reference to President Donald Trump targeting undocumented immigrants with inhumane policies and increased ICE raids.
“We have to stay strong and united during these difficult and unjust times,” he says. “What’s happening right now is an injustice. They’re taking people to places where they don’t belong, which are mostly Latinos who have given so much to this country. For everyone to be together at my shows, I greatly appreciate it because I know that it can be difficult to go out lately. I strongly hope that there will soon be an end to these things that shouldn’t be happening.”
The second half of Kaarl’s show were classics from his first two albums, 2019’s Hasta El Fin Del Mundo and 2022’s Paris Texas. Backed by a band, his deep croon hits even harder as he belted out the melancholic “Colapso” and the heart-wrenching “Mujer Distante.” Amidst the heavy songs, there was also a bit of romance in the mix with the euphoric “Dime” and his rousing breakthrough “San Lucas.”
“There’s nothing more that fills me with pride than representing something that I really like, which is the folk genre,” he said. “I’m also happy to represent Mexico, a country that I love with all of my heart. If I’m seen as a strong representative for Mexico’s folk music scene, then I gladly accept that honor and I hope to keep doing it well.”
Kaarl’s heads to the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Aug. 9. Throughout this month, he will also visit Phoenix and make multiple stops in Texas. From there, Kaarl will then move onto shows in Europe and Latin America.
Set List
“Buscame Otra Vez”
“No Me Equivoco”
“Abrazado a Ti”
“Ultra Sodade”
“Como Me Encanta”
“Si Supieras”
“Ya No Me Llames”
“Que Pasa Si Me Voy?”
“Te Quiero Tanto”
“Travis y Hunter”
“No Me Culpes Por Sentir”
“Vámonos a Marte”
“Es Que Yo Te Quiero a Ti”
“Y Está Bien”
“Me Va a Costar”
“Vete”
“Mujer Distante”
“Peregrinos”
“Colapso”
“Tú Si Eres Real”
“Amor Viejo”
“Esta Noche”
“Dime”
“San Lucas”
