The Calling turns Audio into a time machine with an emotional show in São Paulo

Photo: Stephanie Ferreira

It was a national holiday in Brazil, but inside Audio, in São Paulo’s west zone, the mood was one of both personal and collective celebration. On the night of October 12th, 2025, The Calling did more than just check off another date on their Brazilian tour, they offered a nostalgic journey wrapped in emotion, energy, and deep reverence for a crowd that never let them go.

At exactly 8:30 PM, greeted by thunderous applause and cheers, Alex Band walked onto the stage like a man returning home. And indeed, it wasn’t the first time the 44-year-old frontman declared in fluent Portuguese, that Brazil is his second home. The love was instant, mutual, and overflowing.

A voice that defined a generation

The choice to open with “For You” couldn’t have been more symbolic. Famously part of the Daredevil movie soundtrack (2003), the song made it clear that the band wasn’t just here to relive the past — they came to reaffirm their presence. Still, it was impossible to ignore the emotional weight of anthems like “Adrienne” and “Could It Be Any Harder”, met with a unified choir of voices and tearful eyes.

Alex Band’s raspy, powerful voice — the band’s unmistakable sonic signature — sounded even more personal in São Paulo. “Eu te amo, Brasil!” ("I love you, Brazil!"), he shouted more than once, prompting a wave of phones in the air, tight hugs, and nostalgic smiles.

Balanced setlist and acoustic surprises

The setlist blended the classics with three new songs set to be featured on their upcoming 2026 album: “Don’t You Cry”, “Hold On Me”, and “Stand Up Now.” The latter even had its music video premiered on the big screens, while Alex pointed to familiar faces in the crowd, long-time fans he said he recognized from previous recordings in Brazil.

The most intimate moment of the night came when Band paused the full-band set for a short acoustic block. Seated on a stool, with only his guitar and voice, he asked: “What do you want to hear now?” After a flurry of shouted requests, he gave in to a call for “Euphoria”, a rare track not usually performed live, requested just hours earlier by a fan during the Meet & Greet.

"This one’s for you. I promised, and a promise is a promise," he said, earning emotional applause — and a few more tears.

An emotional time machine

The night’s climax, of course, came with “Wherever You Will Go.” The timeless hit, released over two decades ago, transformed Audio into a massive chorus. And for a few minutes, the early 2000s returned. Or maybe, they never left.

With warm lighting, crisp sound, and a subtle stage setup, the production wisely let the spotlight fall where it belonged: on the visceral connection between the band and the audience. There were no fireworks or over-the-top gimmicks just presence, emotion, and memory. And that was more than enough.

A night of reconnection

In their return to São Paulo, The Calling offered more than a concert. It was a celebration of music as a bridge between past and present. Above all, it was a night of reconnection with songs that shaped a generation, with the band that defined so many youth memories, and with oneself.

For those who were there, it will be hard to forget.For those who weren’t, here’s hoping for another chance with or without a time machine.