Kala Brand UK

A Closer look.....

Following last night’s official unveiling, here are a few more images showcasing the detail, finish and character of our latest addition to the ever-growing KALA catalogue.

We may be biased, but there’s no denying these are seriously striking instruments. 🥵

And that's before we start talking about THAT hardcase!

The Waypoint Grand Baritone has arrived!

🧭🌟 THE WAYPOINT: GRAND BARITONE HAS ARRIVED! 🌟🧭

It’s here. And believe me, this one is something a little bit different…

Our first stock of the brand-new Kala Waypoint: Grand Baritone landed with us last week, and the first backorders are already making their way out to our wonderful KALA stockists across the UK.

There are A LOT of exciting new instruments hitting the market at the moment, but these steel-strung Grand Baritones really do sit in their own little universe.

Built for players who want to explore beyond the traditional ukulele, the Waypoint brings together baritone scale, steel strings and a beautifully rich, full-bodied voice in an instrument that is seriously hard to pigeonhole.

And you’ve got two gorgeous options to choose from at launch:

Aged Cedar Top with 3A Acacia Back & Sides

All Solid Golden Mango

Both with an RRP of £999.

Whether you’re looking for something genuinely unique to add to an ever-growing collection, or you’re a folk aficionado looking for an instrument that can take you somewhere completely different, the Waypoint is definitely worth a closer look.

And then there’s the fun part…

Imagine this tuned in fifths Or in traditional Irish tuning. Suddenly, this little beast starts opening up an entirely different musical map.

So, what do you think of the new Waypoint: Grand Baritone?

Would you add one to your collection? 👀

Kala Waypoint Grand Baritone Collection | Chartered by Starlight The Waypoint Grand Baritones are built for players who want a bigge...

☮️❤️ What a weekend... ☮️❤️

Shrewkfest - 2026 has been one of the most memorable festivals we've ever had the privilege of being a part of and we've compiled a short video marking some of our highlights, enjoy!

A huge thank you to Dave Cowton and his incredible team who work tirelessly behind the scenes to create such a welcoming, friendly and unique event. So much hard work goes into making a festival like this happen, and it certainly doesn't go unnoticed.

To our amazing Kala Artists... you absolutely smashed it! Your performances, workshops and passion for music were nothing short of inspiring. We couldn't be prouder to have you representing the Kala family.

And finally, to every single one of our customers, friends and fellow ukulele enthusiasts who stopped by the Kala stand over the weekend THANK YOU. Whether you came to try an instrument, shared a story, or simply stopped for a chat, your support genuinely means the world to us. It's because of people like you that we get to do what we do.

Until next year...

Kala Brand UK- Shrewkfest 2026 Highlights ☮️ What an unforgettable weekend at Shrewkfest 2026 – The Shrewsbur...

Huge congratulations to Sheila Cowton for buying the winning raffle ticket for this year's grand prize at Shrewkfest - The Shrewsbury Ukulele Festival

Sheila went home with a brand new KA-KOA-C, and together we raised over £900 to help cover the costs of running this fantastic festival.

A massive thank you to Dave Cowton and the entire crew for putting on yet another incredible event. Shrewkfest just keeps getting bigger and better, and we can't wait to be back again next year!

See you all in 2027!

THANK YOU, Shrewkfest - The Shrewsbury Ukulele Festival

Well... what a weekend!

It was so good to spend time with you all again this year. We genuinely hope you had as much fun as we did?

One of the best parts of any festival is catching up with so many familiar faces, making new friends, and, of course, spending time with our absolutely incredible Kala Artists. You continue to inspire me every single day, and I can't thank you enough for your passion, talent, and support.

To everyone who stopped by the Kala tent, came over for a chat, shared a laugh, tried out an instrument, or even managed to bag themselves a bargain... thank you. Every conversation, every handshake, and every purchase means the world to us.

A special mention to the handful of people who came back for a ukulele they'd been thinking about, only to find it had already sold.......I'm genuinely sorry! It's the nature of festival trading—we only have so much room in the van, and trust me, we packed it absolutely to the brim with ukulele goodness!

For next time, if there's something you've got your eye on, just let one of us know. We're always happy to pop it behind the stand for an hour while you have a wander and think it over. We'd much rather you came back to the instrument you fell in love with than leave disappointed.

Finally, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you to every single one of you—our customers, old and new—for your unwavering support.

Kala Brand UK is what it is because of this amazing community, and we NEVER take that for granted.

Now, if you'll excuse us... we're absolutely spent! 😴

See you next year!


📸 - The Stranger Frame

After months of writing, recording and refining every note, Alex Beds has finally unveiled his third solo album, Hummingbird & The Crow.

Recorded throughout early 2026 with producer Jack Grace, the album transforms many of Alex's much-loved ukulele instrumentals into fully realised songs, showcasing his growth as both a songwriter and performer.

Drawing inspiration from the rugged landscapes and timeless storytelling of the Old West, Hummingbird & The Crow carries a distinctive Americana and cowboy spirit throughout. From its cinematic atmosphere to its rich, evocative songwriting, the album feels like the soundtrack to a journey across dusty trails and wide-open skies—while still retaining the warmth and intimacy that Alex's music is known for.

Blending heartfelt storytelling, captivating melodies and Alex's unmistakable musicianship, Hummingbird & The Crow is a beautiful collection that deserves a place in every music lover's playlist.

Whether you've followed Alex's journey from the beginning or you're discovering his music for the first time, this is an album you'll want to experience from start to finish.

Give it a listen, show Alex your support, and let us know which track becomes your favourite!

You can purchase the album in various formats here: https://alexbeds.bandcamp.com/album/hummingbird-the-crow

Or stream it here:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3TpLuanK2JAakDJFSfv72T

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/hummingbird-the-crow/6786362078

Some people make playing the ukulele look easy...

Then there's Kala Artist Samantha Muir, who somehow makes it look effortless.

What many people don't realise is that behind every seemingly effortless performance are countless hours of dedication, practice and an incredible level of musicianship. Sam has spent years mastering her craft, and it shows in every note she plays.

In 2023, she completed a pioneering PhD focused on the ukulele at the University of Surrey, further cementing her place as one of the world's leading classical ukulele performers and we can never get enough of Sam here at Kala UK HQ!

In this beautiful performance, Sam takes her trusty Solid Spruce Contour Series Baritone for a spin, drawing out a warm, rich tone with a level of control and expression that's simply mesmerising.

So, Grab a cuppa, turn the volume up, and enjoy a few minutes of musical brilliance.

📺

Sauteuse Op.121 No.7 Baritone Following on from my...