The fast-rising London four-piece Keo brought their explosive blend of emotionally charged alternative and grunge rock to a sold-out Southampton crowd.
Something special is happening in British guitar music right now, and Keo are at the heart of it. After three years cutting their teeth in the grassroots scene, the band have rapidly transformed from an exciting underground prospect into one of the UK’s most talked-about emerging rock acts.
They released their album just over a month before the tour began, on 25th September. Titled Put A Smile On For Me, it reached number two on the Official Albums Chart, alongside number one positions on both the Official Vinyl Chart and the Official Record Store chart. With a sold-out headline tour and an increasingly devoted fanbase, their arrival at Southampton Guildhall marked another significant milestone in their remarkable rise – a huge leap from playing independent and grassroots venues like The Joiners last year.
On a cold, rainy Saturday night in Southampton, anticipation was already building outside the Guildhall. Dublin newcomers Brooki delivered an impressive opening set and made a strong impression, with frontwoman Sarah Brookfield’s volcanic vocals standing out in particular.
The crowd then began chanting “KEO“, growing louder until the band finally took the stage. Keo came out all guns blazing, opening with ‘Be Happy’. The distorted guitars and driving drumbeat provided the perfect backdrop for Finn’s gritty, emotionally charged vocals, and the crowd sang back every word.
‘Pistol’ followed and delivered another grunge-heavy highlight, pairing menacing guitar work with lyrics that explored regret and guilt. On ‘Hands’, the energy was palpable. Finn, sporting his distinctive back cap, commanded the stage with magnetic presence, while Lanwern threw himself into his guitar performance, and Oli and Conor provided a thunderous rhythm section. A mosh pit formed quickly, and the atmosphere barely settled for the rest of the night.
‘Best I Can Do’ and ‘Thorn’ showcase the band’s emotional depth. The latter was particularly passionate, balancing quieter, atmospheric passages with explosive bursts of guitar-driven intensity. Finn’s towering vocals captured the confusion, anger, and longing at the heart of the song, while the audience responded with equal passion. It reminded everyone that beneath the distortion and swagger lies a band unafraid to expose their vulnerability.
That quieter side continued through ‘Spent on You’ and ‘Stolen Cars’, offering a welcome contrast to the heavier material. Keo demonstrate an impressive understanding of dynamics, frequently building from delicate melodic moments into full-throttle rock.
The energy soon returned with ‘I Lied, Amber’, which featured an extended introduction before developing into a bouncing, crowd-pleasing anthem. A sea of phone screens illuminated the room as everyone sang along.
One of the night’s standout performances came with ‘That’s Me’. Lanwern’s edgy guitar introduction immediately commanded attention before Finn’s almost spoken vocal delivery brought the song’s confronting lyrics to life. Exploring self-destructive tendencies, the track is a powerful example of Keo’s brutally honest songwriting. Conor’s droning bass and Oli’s increasingly forceful drums sit beneath the guitars, letting the song build to an explosive, emotionally charged conclusion.
‘Loser’, ‘Blue Song’ and ‘Black Dress’ continued the set, showcasing the band’s versatility and ability to move between gritty rock and more introspective songwriting. Finn’s stage presence was equally impressive, as he regularly interacted with the crowd and even made his way down to the barrier. He also took a moment to remind those in the mosh pit to look after one another, demonstrating a genuine appreciation for the fans who have helped bring the band this far.
After taking a brief leave of the stage, Keo returned for an encore, delivering an atmospheric cover of ‘The End’ by The Doors and providing a striking change of direction. ‘Fly’ followed, once again highlighting their ability to balance quieter passages with emotional intensity.
Closing the sold-out show with the unreleased track ‘Only We Know’ was masterful. The entire room sang along, word for word, howling lyrics back at the band from friends’ shoulders with astonishing intensity, beer spilling and hands reaching toward the stage, proving how strong the connection between Keo and their supporters has become, and it brought the evening to an unforgettable close.
British guitar music is back, and Keo are helping lead the charge. Be sure to catch them when you can.
