LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: KEO AT THE O2 INSTITUTE, BIRMINGHAM 05/03/26
Rising alternative rock band Keo kicked off their Spring 2026 UK & Europe tour in Birmingham on March 5th. The band, formed by brothers Finn (vocals/guitar) and Conor Keogh (bass), along with Oli Spackman (drums) and Jimmy Lanwern (guitar), gained wider attention with the release of their five-song EP ‘Siren‘ in 2025. Although the band has not yet released many songs on Spotify, they have built a strong fan base over the past few years, solidifying their reputation as a powerful live act.
The night kicked off with Tooth, a four-piece band from London known for their energetic live sound. The band, consisting of Tom Pollow, Ben Ashley, Charlie Arnison and Roy Lowe, recently released their debut single ‘The Age Of Innocence‘. Like Keo, Tooth play alternative rock, a similar style that helped them win over the crowd easily, with some fans already singing along. They warmed up the audience with an energetic set and plenty of guitar solos, setting the tone for the main act: Keo.
Keo’s Spring tour shows just how far the London band has come in recent years. The tour marks their biggest headline run to date, with some venues even upgraded to larger rooms due to demand and an additional date added in London. The atmosphere in the O2 Institute Birmingham was electric all night, with groups of people chanting “Keoo“ and singing so loudly that they sometimes drowned out the band.
It became obvious that the four-piece band has clearly built a very dedicated fan base over the past few years. Frontman Finn Keogh addressed the crowd during the show, telling the audience that this was the biggest show they had ever played so far and thanking fans for buying tickets and coming out. He added that they will never forget the night.
The setlist featured songs from their 2025 released EP ‘Siren‘, along with new material such as the unreleased track ‘That’s Me‘, which blended seamlessly with the already released tracks and gave fans a glimpse of what’s to come. Keo are often compared to acts like Wunderhorse and Fontaines D.C., with many fans claiming they’ll be the next big thing. The energy in the room made this clear: the fact that they’ve built such a loyal following with only a small catalogue released so far speaks for itself. Their stage presence is electrifying, blending grunge and indie rock into a sound that’s entirely their own.
They opened the encore with a cover of ‘The End‘ by The Doors, then closed the night with ‘I Lied, Amber‘, a track that had both the band and the crowd pour every last bit of energy into it. Their set was packed with lots of guitar solos and a clear passion in Keogh‘s voice.
By the time the band left the stage, it was clear why so many fans already believe Keo are the next big thing. With only one EP and a handful of new songs, they still had a packed Birmingham crowd on shoulders, screaming every word back at them and filling the O2 Institute with so much noise, emotion and movement, that it felt like an achievement in itself. That opening night in Birmingham, and this spring tour as a whole, shows just how much further the band can and will go. If tonight’s show was any sign of where they’re headed, their days as an under-the-radar live secret may be numbered.
Words and photos by Nadine Goetz