Keo Kendal Calling Live Review
Words by Caitlin Barlow
Images by Kieran Whitfield
Keo ripped into the Calling Out stage on Saturday night at Kendal Calling to 1994 classic, ‘Love Spreads’ by The Stone Roses.
Opening with ‘Hands’, which was released on their debut EP ‘Siren’ and has since become increasingly popular on TikTok and Instagram. Following with ‘Be Happy’ and the brash and full-frontal track, ‘That’s Me’, which is quickly becoming a new fan favourite.
With an ever-growing mob surrounding the tent, bustling to reach the barriers, the pounding intro to their most recent release ‘Pistol’ blared through the speakers. This latest track expresses another side to Keo. Showing a more tender side to Finn Keough’s vocals, while still releasing the harrowing lyricisms and jaded guitars they are known and loved for.
After performing at the Woodlands stage in 2025, Keo’s fanbase has extensively grown, alongside their catalogue of released music for their dedicated fanbase.
The hit single ‘I Lied, Amber’ was next in the set, as devotees frantically scrambled to climb their friends and strangers' shoulders alike, to belt out this alt rock anthem. Before ‘Thorn’, the crowd continued to grow, with the jumping clusters of diehard fans forming an alliance.
Then a wave of unreleased tunes crashed within the tent, and the audience erupted to; ‘Only We Know’, ‘Spent On You’ and ‘Best I Can Do’.
The pinnacle of the evening reached when Keo super fan, Joe, appeared from the crowd to perform ‘Fly’.
This bond between artist and fan proved the importance of live music, and even though Keo are rapidly on the rise, they aren’t forgetting their roots and early beginnings in the business. Meanwhile, their fanbase continues to show their love and support by learning the lyrics and instrumentation to multiple unreleased songs, which allows them to enjoy every single moment in the concise set and reap the rewards of performing on stage with their idles before they get too big!
After performing the withheld, ‘Black Dress’, Keo ended their Kendal set with ‘Stolen Cars’, which was also released on their debut EP, ‘Siren’.
Since drawing such an extensive crowd, it would be very surprising if Keo doesn't return to Kendal Calling festival in 2027, and even more so if it's not on the main stage.
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