Review: Keane, Capital FM Arena, by George Solomon
ALL five of Keane's albums have shot straight to number one in the chart, so it's no surprise that, firstly, they know how to put on a show and secondly, that the crowd lapped up every second of their Capital FM Arena gig on Wednesday night.
Their trademark sound is perfectly suited to arenas, with their classic anthems like Somewhere Only We Know (the highlight of the night) booming out to all corners, and the varied set, covering plenty of their healthy back catalogue, hitting the right note.
Their latest album, Strangeland, despite going to number one, hasn't quite hit the critical heights of their previous efforts and when they ran through some of the tracks from it, things became a little subdued for all but the biggest fans.
But a string of their biggest singles towards the end had the crowd out of their seats singing along, likeable singer Tom Chaplin urging them into action.
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He is a fine front man and had the audience hooked when he shed the band for a solo number with his acoustic guitar.
He briefly reminisced between songs about their first big gig in Nottingham, at Rock City, when his voice went halfway through. That certainly didn't happen here, as he continued to hit the notes all night long.
The stage in the middle of the arena made for a great spectacle, and the lighting - often taken for granted at gigs - was of the highest order, perfectly matching each song.
Keane are a slick outfit and the sound couldn't have been tighter. If there could be one criticism, it's that they were almost too well rehearsed, with little deviation from the 'script'.
But that's a minor gripe on what was a fine night for all. You can't help but smile as they do their thing; uplifting, feelgood music, similar in tone to Elbow who'd rocked the same stage just two nights previously.
As they neared the end of their set, Chaplin said: "It's been an incredible pleasure. We wish we could stand up here forever and sing our songs."
So did we.
Comments
by RichoRocks
Thursday, November 29 2012, 11:23PM
“Superb performance from the 'bedwetters of pop' as the press love to label them. Only disappointment was that Tom appears to have forgotten that the first gig they played in Nottingham was at the Rescue Rooms!”
by cojoe1630
Thursday, November 29 2012, 3:54PM
“I was at the concert last night and Keane were awesome. If they were "too well rehearsed" it's because they've been touring almost constantly since March and are due to continue until at least April - 13 months. How many bands can say that?? Having seen them 3 times in the last 6 months and for the fourth time tomorrow at the O2, they change their set list for every concert - unlike some other people/bands that put on exactly the same "show" night after night and charge extortionate prices. At least with Keane you get a different mix of (excellent) songs every time for an incredibly reasonable price. As for their new album, it's their best yet - Sovereign Light Cafe brought the house down, and not just for "all but the biggest fans". I too wish they could stand there forever singing to us. 'Til next time ...”
by greenpen99
Thursday, November 29 2012, 2:43PM
“"Too well rehearsed"!! Of course they are. Keane have toured this album in nearly all the corners of the globe. They are slick because they are professionls and fabulous entertainers!”