Keywest debut at No. 1 on the Irish Albums Chart with One More For The Road

Keywest have debuted at No. 1 on the Irish Albums Chart with their record One More For The Road, released on September 25.

The band beat Olivia Rodrigo's you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love and Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl to the top spot.

Last week, the pop rock band performed a sold-out show at Dublin's Vicar Street, coinciding with the new album's drop - which is only available in physical form, not on any streaming platforms.

"That tells you a lot about what Keywest are about," Hot Press wrote in a review of the Vicar Street gig. "They're old school. Throughout their career, they've built a following primarily through street busking. These methods have yielded success."

Of their decision to only release the album in physical, Keywest's Andrew Kavanagh said:

"Knowing that people will experience the album on CD rather than streaming on a phone means the world to us. The CD lets you hear the music in its full, original quality, without the compression and processing that can come with streaming."

One More For The Road marks their first original studio album release in 7 years, following 2019's Ordinary Superhero. Though, they have released single 'No Guts No Glory', a Christmas collection A Year To Forget But A Christmas To Remember and cover album It's A Cover Vol. 1.

Back in 2015, their album, Joyland, also reached No. 1 on the Irish Albums Chart, besting Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift.

Formed in the late 2000s by childhood friends Kavanagh and Andrew Glover, Keywest built an initial following by busking on Dublin's Grafton Street and Galway's Shop Street, as well as internationally.

After previously signing with labels, the band decided to operate fully as an independent group. They now consist of lead vocalist Kavanagh, keyboardist and rhythm guitarist Glover and guitarists Luke Murphy and Conor Ray.

Keywest have released a total of five studio albums, achieved high national radio airplay, sold-out tours across Ireland and the UK and made main-stage appearances at festivals like Electric Picnic.

One More For The Road is available for purchase here.