Keo in California

June 10th, 2026

You could feel the electricity coursing through your veins the second Keo’s amps crackled to life.

Armed with only their debut EP, Siren, and their first full-length album, Put A Smile On For Me, set for release on the 25th of September, Keo made the journey from the UK to California for their first-ever Los Angeles performance. Despite being thousands of miles from home, the four-piece took the stage with the confidence of a band that knows exactly who they are and exactly what they want to say.

What makes Keo stand out is at the heart of their sound. Their alternative rock music balances raw, gritty vocals with textured guitar work, creating something both aggressive and deeply vulnerable. The moment they stepped onto the stage at El Cid, it became impossible to look away. Every movement felt purposeful. There wasn’t a second during their set where any member of the band stood still. They played as if the music was moving through them rather than simply being performed. The band felt every note in their bones; the crowd absorbed that same energy, and by the end of the night, Los Angeles was left with a Keo-shaped imprint on Sunset Boulevard.

Opening with “Hands,” Keo wasted no time establishing the emotional intensity that would define the rest of their performance. The song hit like a wave of emotionally charged, gritty guitar lines and melancholic lyricism, instantly pulling the audience closer to the stage. The constant chant of “KEO!” comes after every song, led by a fan in the front; the audience’s energy matched Keo’s. Bodies in the crowd were moving, holding onto every lyric.

At the center of it all was lead singer Finn, who completely owned the stage from the first note. There is a visible hunger in his performance, a drive that radiates through every lyric and every movement. He sings as though each word carries personal weight, and that makes it impossible not to invest in the stories he tells while singing.

Beside him stood his brother Conor on bass, whose energy was relentless from start to finish. Watching him perform brought my mind to Ellis Durand of Wet Leg. Like a live wire, Conor poured himself into every note, bouncing across the stage while simultaneously locking in the rhythm section with precision. His performance served as both an anchor and an accelerant, grounding the songs while driving their momentum forward throughout the whole set.

Behind them, drummer Oli Spackman delivered the heartbeat of the band. His playing transformed the room, replacing your natural pulse with the relentless thump of the kick drum. Every beat landed with force, turning the music into something physical. You didn’t just hear the drums, you felt them reverberate through your chest.

Yet, throughout the set, my attention repeatedly drifted toward guitarist Jimmy Lanwern. Something was captivating about the way he carried himself on stage. Existing almost entirely in his own world, Lanwern constantly moved within the confines of his small section of the stage, completely immersed in the music. His guitar work added depth and texture to every song, while his occasional backing vocals gave the arrangements an added emotional dimension. Even when he wasn’t the focal point, he had a magnetic quality that continually drew the eye.

As the set progressed, what became increasingly apparent was that Keo’s intensity extends far beyond their instrumentals. It exists in their songwriting as well. One of the most admirable aspects of the band is their willingness to be completely transparent in their lyrics. The songs on Siren are often uncomfortable, brutally honest, and emotionally exposed. They confront difficult feelings without hiding behind metaphor or pretense. Even with the recent release of “That’s Me,” Keo continues to embrace that same level of vulnerability. The single channels frustration and self-reflection, showcasing that the band’s emotional honesty is at the heart of their music. Rather than softening their approach as their profile grows, Keo seems increasingly committed to confronting personal struggles head-on, transforming intimate experiences into songs that resonate with many. 

There is something inherently brave and admirable about that kind of songwriting. To sit down and put your most vulnerable thoughts on paper is difficult enough. To then step onto a stage night after night and relive those emotions in front of strangers requires an entirely different level of commitment to your craft. Keo doesn’t just perform their songs; they inhabit them.

While their recordings showcase their undeniable talent, seeing Keo live reveals an entirely different dimension of the band. The recordings let you hear the music, but the live show lets you feel it. Every lyric lands harder, every guitar riff cuts deeper, and every drumbeat carries more weight. By the end of the night, it was clear that Keo is not a band content with simply making music. With flashing lights, sweat flying, growling vocals, and desperation for more, Keo is creating experiences, ones that linger long after the final note has faded and the house lights turn on.