|
It's
been an incredible few months for Keane. This time last year they
were, by their own admission, playing to about three people in Stoke.
These days they're playing to sell-out venues across the country.
This
gig is no exception. Having been upgraded from The Wedgewood Rooms,
it seems that even the Pyramids is struggling to hold all the Keane
fans. Not bad for a band who have yet to release their debut album.
Check
out our interview with drummer Richard.
 |
| Richard
Hughes |
So
would Keane snap under the pressure of all the hype? Not a chance.
The three lads from Hastings emerge onto the stage to wild applause,
grinning from ear to ear. On this, the first date of their UK tour,
they're ready and raring to go.
As
they strike up emotionally charged songs from their forthcoming
album, Hopes and Fears, including This Is The Last Time, Bend And
Break and the soon to be massive single Everybody's Changing, Keane
show exactly why they've been crowned as the next big thing on the
British music
scene. As each song begins, it is a deceptively bog standard indie
track until, bam!, the chorus kicks in and it suddenly becomes an
instant classic.
And
therein lies Keane's strength, their ability to compose tracks with
strong melodies and killer choruses which have universal appeal
and the potential for longevity.
 |
| Tim
Rice-Oxley |
Even
the lack of guitar and bass doesn't seem to hinder them. Tim Rice-Oxley's
hammering piano does the job of both and makes a refreshing change
from hearing guitars cranked up to 11. He bounces madly on his stool
completely involved in the music while Richard Hughes' drums keep
the pace up and stop things getting too droney.
Singer
Tom Chaplin reveals himself to be a cheery frontman despite the
forlorn lyrics, dancing around the stage and grabbing the microphone
tightly as he sings.
His
impressive, sorrowful vocals ring out effortlessly over the piano
without faltering, while his cheeky chatter between songs charms
the crowd, even if he does sometimes come across as an ex-public
school boy. "Some of you might have bought our single Somewhere
Only We Know", he says teasingly. The audience erupts into
whistles and cheers. "Well, this is the B-side."
 |
| Tom
Chaplin in front of screen |
A screen
at the back of the stage beams out live images of each band member
as they play and fills an otherwise quite sparse stage.
As
they come to the end of their set, Keane finally give the fans their
breakthrough anthem, Somewhere Only We Know, which receives rapturous
praise.
Their
sound is so epic for such a little band and their music appeals
to fans from 16 to 60 so it looks as though they are on the brink
of becoming absolutely huge.
There
have been comparisons to Travis and Coldplay but these are a little
unfair. Keane have much more gusto than Travis ever had and while
they may be regarded as Coldplay's little brother at the moment,
it's not unfeasible that they could soon catch up with their ex-labelmates.
With
their album set for release in May and their popularity growing
by the minute, it may not be long before Keane find themselves doing
exactly that.
What
did you think of Keane at the Pyramids?
Have
your say on our Music
Message Board.
|
