KEO
As someone whose been to big gigs before at stadiums, somehow this gig, in the sweaty little basement of the waterfront, felt bigger and better than any of those gigs. It felt like the calm before the storm.
Keo are a London based noisy alt rock band formed post covid lockdown- possibly the only good thing to come out of covid.
As I walked up the hill from the train station, I spotted a queue around the block and a sea of indie kids I could already feel the buzz. Anticipation not only for Keo but also the incredible choice of support band, Bleech 9:3. What a way to get the crowd excited.
As we were waiting for the band to come on the famous “keooo” chants began. It felt like being at a football game but personally, a gig far more enjoyable.
The band started the set off with a bang beginning with an emotional rendition of hands (one of my personal favourites). Finn Keough, lead singer and guitarist did an amazing job of somehow making an already gut-wrenching song even more emotional with raw, blaring vocals.
The band played some unreleased songs including “that’s me”. For a band with only a handful of released songs the crowd did very well at knowing all of the lyrics, even to unreleased songs such as this one. I think that’s what made this gig even more special.
And of course they played fan favourite “thorn”. Another horribly emotional song made even more emotional by actually being able to hear the jagged, perfectly imperfect vocals performed by Finn Keough and a crowd of people screaming the lyrics back at him
After the band finished their set obviously the football Esque “keoooo” chants started again.
When the band came back for their encore, they performed a cover of the haunting “the end” by the doors. They seem to be The Doors fans as they perform this cover quite often and we were lucky enough to experience this eery cover as well. But of course, they added their own booming al rock spin on it.
They ended the night with “I lied amber” what a way to end the night.
Throughout the whole night the crowd did not fail to sing along, dance, and jump. Sometimes crowds can just be busy watching through phone screens. However, this one felt different, everyone in awe of what they were witnessing.
As someone whose been to big gigs before at Wembley, somehow this gig felt bigger and better than any of those gigs.
A friend said something after the gig which I thought was very accurate “the gig felt like how I imagine Seattle in the 90s the resurgence of something”
I can’t agree more, it felt like the calm before the storm.
