Live Review: THE HARA with Paradise Fell. at Camden Assembly, London (22/01/26)

I do love an album launch show. Not just because the focus is on a brand-new record (in this case, a banging record too) but because it is a celebration. A celebration of having done something momentous. A celebration of accomplishment. Love an album or hate an album, releasing a record is still a huge achievement. At least I think so and so did a packed-out Camden Assembly.

That was a damn good show now, wasn’t it?

Effortlessly cool, THE HARA rocked London with an extensive setlist that showcased the excellence of their new album (The Fallout) and how intrinsic their live performance is to who they are. You can like THE HARA on record, but you’ll love THE HARA live. Not only because they are incredibly tight, musically, but because they are relatable performers too. They’re not just playing their music, they’re living and breathing it, and the result is quite something to be part of. As I said. Effortlessly cool.

Do you know who else is cool? Paradise Fell. Although it’s not the strongest night for the alternative/nu-rock/grungecore band who have to play a shortened set due to a short-notice drummer change up. Self-deprecating throughout, the band take it all in their stride though and still manage to deliver a punchy, danceable, and varied show that does get better as it goes on. Honestly, I thought they were good even if they felt otherwise. They were clearly dealt a bad hand at the last minute and pulled this show together. A show that got the dancefloor moving and moshing. That’s a successful night.

If I have one complaint about the shortened set though, it’s that we have to wait a long time for THE HARA to take to the stage. It’s a personal moan of mine, long changeovers, but such is life, and it is fair to say that this one does build anticipation nicely. When the lights go down the roars of approval seem to be extra loud and as the band do arrive, suited and booted (effortlessly cool), a crescendo of noise washes over the venue. They might look super serious, but it’s focus more than anything else. This is a big deal, especially as it’s the start of an extensive run of headline shows.

That, and the fact that the Camden Assembly is bouncing from the start to the end, over 70 minutes later, proves unequivocally that they’re on unstoppable form right now. It’s kind of why, when you see a smile creep across the trio’s faces throughout, you know that it’s because of the reaction they are getting. It’s also because they know they’re earning it, a smile of satisfaction and confidence. I don’t want to presume to know what THE HARA members were thinking during the many circle pits, dance breakouts, and general chaotic movement of a lively crowd, but I imagine it went along the lines of ‘we’re nailing this’ and ‘this is awesome’.

Which it really was, especially as so many tracks (both new and old) sound immense in this venue. Not only more impassioned than on record, but heavier, faster, and more effective. I dig the new album and a really like a lot of the songs on it, but in this environment, they’re so much stronger. How the hell have they got so many anthems already and how is it that so many people know the words to so many tracks from the new album already? It’s because the love people have for THE HARA is real, love that the band share with their fanbase, and all this positivity hangs thickly in the air. I felt it, and it warmed my heart to be part of it.

Which is my biggest takeaway of the night in the end. The sense that I was part of something special, witnessing the future of alternative music take another huge step forward, and reminded that as cool as I think I am (I joke), THE HARA epitomise cool. There aren’t many bands who get repeated screams of joy as they shed layer after layer of clothing.