All the string lights were dimmed, waiting for the upcoming indie band Keo to take the stage. Pints being poured left and right, and the muffled sound of people hustling to their spots. The room feels warm in sight and temperature.
Bleech 9:3 kicked off what I’d describe as one of the most iconic lineups Southampton has seen in a long time. Opening their set with ‘Mysystem’, an unreleased track, immediately set the tone for the night and had the crowd eagerly anticipating what was still to come! The raw energy in the room was contagious, surging through every song they performed. Emotive lyrics collided with screaming guitars to create an overwhelming atmosphere – one that feels increasingly rare in today’s live music scene. As their set drew to a close, they announced ‘Ceiling’—arguably their most popular released track and the song everyone had been patiently waiting for. The room erupted with screams and cheers when the band announced it would be their final song. You could really feel the crowd come together as one, with mosh pits forming and voices rising as everyone sang every word back to the band. It was an incredible way to close out such an amazing set.
Movement comes from the crowd as we wait for Brooki to come on. They begin with an unreleased song to capture the audience’s attention. Sarah’s voice captivated the crowd, and it went quiet. Everyone was struck by their presence, and the spotlights caught her eye contact with us. The highlight of the set was ‘Bite the Apple’. The fans shouted every word, and the band were all smiles. It was such a lovely atmosphere to watch as the recognition of the audience loosened the band to seem more confident. Their last song, ‘Broduil’, solidified the excitement for Keo to perform, as it was upbeat and energetic. The whole crowd was enthusiastic and joined in every lyric.
The bustle after the set stops immediately, as the realisation that Keo where up next kept the atmosphere alive and fresh. The waiting felt long but incredible, knowing it was going to be so special. They sneak past us onto the stage, and enormous cheers and screams are let out from an audience of all ages. The first few notes of ‘Hands’ start and everyone lit up. Arguably, the most iconic and popular tracks using deep bass and guitar to connect and create a moody sound for the audience.
The sound of the band was incredible, feeling every note and lyric in their set within every part of the body. The best part of the set was ‘Thorn’ and ‘I Lied, Amber’ from the EP ‘Siren’. It felt like everyone in the room not only knew the words, but felt them together. No one felt distanced. The people surrounding us hugged and screamed lyrics together, creating a sense of togetherness and belonging in the heart of Southampton. The honour of also receiving unreleased songs and new songs, including ‘Black Dress’ and ‘That’s Me’, made us excited for new releases to come in the next year.
To celebrate such an iconic venue and upcoming band is such a joy, and it was a privilege to be surrounded by such a great community of fans – a truly special night.
Words: Amber Miller & Tijana Mitevska
Photo: Amber Miller
The Noise Exchange 