Some bands spend years trying to build the sort of connection Keo have already established. The London alternative-rock four-piece released their debut album, Put A Smile On For Me, on 25 September, turning an increasingly intense live following into a major moment for new British guitar music.
Keo’s Put A Smile On For Me: raw guitars, uncomfortable honesty
Released through Island Records, the 11-track record draws on alternative rock, shoegaze and grunge without sanding away the band’s rough edges. Frontman Finn Keogh and guitarist Jimmy Lanwern produced the record, keeping the direct, emotionally exposed character of their early recordings.
Tracks including Be Happy, That’s Me, Pistol and Thorn explore guilt, difficult relationships and the uncomfortable parts of self-reflection. This isn’t a review score from Imminent Infinity: it’s a first look at a band and record we think deserve attention.
From word of mouth to bigger rooms
Keo’s rise has been driven by live performances and fans who know the words before some songs have even been officially released. Their autumn UK headline dates include Southampton, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool and London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town. The band’s own listings also include Manchester’s Neighbourhood Festival on 17 October, followed by a headline date at O2 Academy Brixton in March 2027.
For our grassroots coverage, Keo are an interesting case study: a band whose foundations were laid in small rooms and through genuine audience connection, now making the leap into considerably larger venues.
If you’re after British guitar music with emotional weight and plenty of distortion, Put A Smile On For Me belongs on your listening list. That move towards bigger rooms is also part of Corella’s latest chart milestone and 2027 tour announcement.
Sources and further information
Official Charts: album details
Keo: official website and live dates
Record Store Day: album background
