London’s guitar scene has been quietly simmering again over the last couple of years, but every so often a band arrives that turns the heat all the way up. Right now, that band is Keo.
At their recent headline show in the capital, the four-piece delivered a performance that didn’t just justify the growing buzz around them—it explained it completely.
Fronted by brothers Finn Keogh (vocals/guitar) and Conor Keogh (bass), alongside guitarist Jimmy Lanwern and drummer Oli Spackman, Keo have become one of the most exciting young acts emerging from the UK’s alternative rock underground. Their sound blends shoegaze textures, grunge-tinged riffs and emotionally charged songwriting, drawing inspiration from artists like Jeff Buckley and Radiohead while carving out something unmistakably their own.
But records alone don’t explain the hype. Keo’s reputation has been built on stage.
London alternative-rock band Keo — Finn Keogh, Conor Keogh, Jimmy Lanwern and Oli Spackman. Photo by Hermione Sylvester.
A Live Band First, and Loudest
The London show—coming after the band had already sold out venues on their early headline runs—felt less like a typical gig and more like the kind of communal release that guitar bands were built on. From the first distorted chords to the final crescendo, the room moved as one.
Tracks from their early catalogue, including the breakout single “I Lied, Amber,” exploded live with a weight that goes beyond the studio recording. The song’s slow-burn intro and soaring chorus, written about the emotional contradictions of trust in relationships, perfectly showcases the band’s knack for pairing vulnerability with towering guitar arrangements.
Finn Keogh’s vocal delivery—equal parts rasp and raw confession—anchors the chaos around him. It’s a voice that doesn’t feel rehearsed or polished in the traditional sense, but that’s exactly why it connects.
From Underground Rooms to Festival Stages
The pace of Keo’s rise has been startling. Before even releasing much official music, they were already building a reputation through relentless gigging across the UK’s live circuit. Eventually that word-of-mouth buzz translated into bigger opportunities—including sharing stages at BST Hyde Park alongside acts like Kings of Leon, The Vaccines and Paolo Nutini.
Since then, things have accelerated fast. Their debut EP Siren helped push the band beyond London’s grassroots scene, earning attention from outlets including Rolling Stone UK, DIY, and Clash, while their early headline tours sold thousands of tickets in a matter of hours.
Live performances remain the beating heart of their momentum—something fans in that packed London venue could feel instantly.
Keo performing during their rise through the UK guitar-music scene. Photo by Hermione Sylvester.
Why the Buzz Feels Real
There’s always hype around new guitar bands. But the difference with Keo is that the hype seems to come from the ground up: sweaty club shows, relentless touring, and a fanbase that grew before the press caught up.
Watching them live, you get the sense that the band themselves are still trying to catch up with the pace of their own ascent. And that’s part of the charm—there’s a scrappy, hungry energy in every song.
If London’s next great guitar band is going to emerge from the current scene, Keo are already making a compelling case that they might be it.
And judging by the chaos of their latest hometown show, the capital already seems convinced.
