Keyside have been rapidly progressing since forming three years ago, with their headline tour about to sell out, up and down the UK, and their new EP set for release on Friday.
They are the latest band to arise from the iconic musical hotspot of Liverpool. Their melodic infectious indie is capturing imaginations, and the group is already attracting some big-name admirers.
Their single “Runaway” caught the attention of Stockport’s indie flagbearers Blossoms, who not only shouted the band out on their “Pubcast”, but also joined a Keyside live stream requesting a performance of their latest title track “Gary” before inviting the boys on tour.
So it is an exciting time for the band as we catch up with Dan Parker (vocals, acoustic guitar) and Oisín McAvoy (drums). We get to know Keyside and discuss their new EP “Michael (What’s Your Call?)”, the upcoming tour, and plenty more.
NC: How are things for the band at the minute? It seems like a good time to be a member of Keyside?
Dan: “It’s going well. We’re four lads who just want to make songs so to be able to release music is good enough in itself. But yes it does feel particularly good at the minute.”
NC: Where did you all meet?
Oisín: “I met Ben (the guitarist) at University. Ben already knew who Dan was and he introduced us. I was best friends with a bass player and we needed a bassist to join so that worked out well. It just came together by chance, it didn’t feel forced. I met Dan in March 2022 and didn’t see him again for months. We just did it out of enjoyment.”
NC: Based on that are you surprised it has caught such traction?
Oisín: “Yes and no. It was also lots of hard work and practice going into it when no-one really knew who we were. Just like most bands who start to pick up a bit of momentum.”
NC: You seem to have perfected the viral music videos. Has a key to getting your name out there been mastering the short form social media promotion?
Dan: “With it being 2025, phones are such a big part of people’s lives. I go on my phone a lot like everyone else, it’s the modern day device for people to connect so it makes sense to be on there and show what you’re doing. We make little music videos, acoustics and lip syncs, it feels a bit like a modern version of MTV and getting our tunes out there to people.”
NC: You’re often out in public on these videos. Do you ever get hassle from passers by?
Oisín: “All the time, yeah.”
Dan: “We were doing one in London the other week and someone’s dog just joined the shot, there’s a video of that on our TikTok. But it is nice to meet loads of new people when we’re out filming.”
NC: Tell us about the new EP then, out this Friday, what can people expect?
Dan: “We’ve got two new tracks on the EP – Michael (What’s Your Call) and High to High. They’re both a bit more serious and darker than the previous stuff we’ve put out. In terms of the lyrics and sound too with High to High. I think it’s relatable to everyday life. The EP has a Yin-Yang effect – two happy and two not-so-happy songs. But I like that contrast on EPs and albums. And in tunes when it might be happy music and sad lyrics.”
NC: Are you making a conscious effort to experiment with different sounds early on? As bands can often play it safe in the early days.
Dan: “We like all of our songs to have their own personality and Keyside character. We never try to make something too similar, pushing the boundaries if we can.”
NC: Your tour is selling out and reaches as far south as London and north in Glasgow, how does that feel?
Oisín: “It feels good, it feels nice. It might become a bit surreal when we play Glasgow, Leeds, and Liverpool and they’re all sold out. It will probably hit us then. It doesn’t feel too strange at the minute but we’re not out on the road yet.”
NC: Blossoms have been vocal fans of the band. Getting to support them must have been a big moment for you?
Dan: “It’s surreal. To meet them on a personal level was great too, they’re all good lads. It was a great experience because they inspired us. They’re one of the biggest indie bands in the country. I was 16 in 2016 so I feel like I’ve grown up with them. We did a livestream gig ages ago and they joined. We thought it was a fake account at first but then clicked and realised it was legit. They asked us to play “Gary” and we panicked because we hadn’t practiced it that well but we played it anyway.”
NC: Who else inspired Keyside?
Dan: “If you look at Oisín’s wall there are plenty of clues!” Oisín’s wall is filled with music posters including Oasis, The Libertines, Fontaines D.C., and The Verve.
Oisín: “I think all of us collectively like the same sort of music. We never really argue that much in terms of picking songs because we all have a similar taste and idea of how we want something to sound.”
NC: Is Liverpool generally an inspiring and collaborative place to develop as a band?
Dan: “Liverpool is renowned at the minute as one of the best places to be for music. We all support and back each other. Scousers naturally do and always have done. We always back our own. It’s just who we are. I think a lot of people look up to Liverpool at the minute. Kempston Street is one of the country’s best studios, for example. We go there, Blossoms go there, Coldplay recorded there when it was at Parr Street. So it’s an exciting time to be a band here.”
NC: What are the ambitions for Keyside? How far can you take this?
Dan: “Above all, beyond metrics, the reason we started was to make music that actually means something and we can stand by. I want to be able to look back and know I didn’t go astray – staying true to ourselves with a discography we’re proud of. You can make adjustments here and there, but there’s always a core purpose and reason we wanted to do this – to express ourselves through music. Metrics are just part of the journey. I could say Glastonbury is a dream but I’d be more proud of a good album we’ve made.”
The new EP from Keyside is out THIS FRIDAY. Final tour tickets are on sale now with dates listed below. Head to KEYSIDE | Official Website for more information.
KEYSIDE 2025 TOUR DATES
- Wed 12 March – Leeds, Oporto – SOLD OUT
- Thu 13 March – Glasgow, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
- Fri 14 March – Liverpool, Arts Club – SOLD OUT
- Sun 16 March – Manchester, Deaf Institute – SOLD OUT
- Tue 25 March – London, The Lexington
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