On Wednesday 12th May, I went to see Keane perform at The Fridge in Brixton. The occasion: a one-off album launch gig for the new 8 Track EP ‘Night Train’. The reason: free ticket from my boss as his girlfriend was ill. (I can’t ever say no to live music, especially when its free!)
I have always felt a bit non plussed about Keane. I like their music – don’t get me wrong – but it’s not like they are one of my favourite bands, I own any of the music or I would go out of my way to see them. In all honesty I expected a good gig but not an outstanding one . The guys astonished me. They didn’t drop a note or miss a beat. I guess that is something it would be fair to expect from such an established indie pop band but still highly impressive given half the tracks they played were new material.
Maybe it was the fact that it was the first gig they had played here for a while or the fact it was the first time they played their new album. Maybe it was the fact they had reached number 1 in the midweek charts that day or maybe it was the fact they were playing to a group of loving fans who had no doubt that they were going to hear something extraordinary, I don’t know. I have no idea what enhanced their music and therefore my enjoyment of it that evening. But what I do know is that their performance made me reevaluate my perceptions of Keane. Their old tracks evoked memories of past summers and old friends and their new material proved they are still as good as they always were plus their performance was faultless…
Firstly and most importantly – Tom wore a red shirt with black piping and the most gorgeous black blazer with sparkly sequin shoulders. I wanted it.
He looked well. A bit like a lollipop with his small frame and big chubby cheeks. I always imagine him as the cheeky boy in the classroom – a naughty mischievous sparkle in his eye. He was on top form, very confident – his voice was crystal clear and conveyed a lot of passion.
There was a strange juxtaposition caused by the sense of a band who had been there and tasted success and the electric buzz of a new start, a re-acquaintance with not only their fans but the chart as well. The Fridge really did Keane justice – a very well chosen venue: good acoustics and right amount of people – a mix to create the most suitable of album launch atmospheres.
Tom said he loved being wrapped in the heat of the Keane hardcore. The whole band obviously loved being back up there in front of their biggest fans – their was a lot of enthusiasm for interaction with the crowd. I was surprised at the mix of faces in the audience. To our left their were the thirty somethings, to our right teenagers and in front a clear gathering of parent aged people who were enjoying the action just as much as everybody else.
All of the boys were on top form and ultimately their passion for their music – both new and old tracks alike – shone through. Despite the focus being on the new tracks from Night Train there was a good spattering of old classics. For someone who is by no means a die hard fan, I was shocked how many songs I knew the words to. And not only that, but they seemed familiar and reminded me of certain points in my life long forgotten and people I hadn’t thought about for a fair while. Any track that can evoke such feelings must secretly be pretty good.
I’m certain Night Train will continue the bands success. There is a decent sprinkling of bubblegum pop tracks laced through the overarching indie vibe which anchors the album in familiar territory. In places you can liken the sound to Nizlopi, Bright Eyes and Death Cab For Cutie. ‘Stop For A Minute’ is the stand out pop track. If I hadn’t have sen it with my own eyes I would have been very dubious of Keane’s ability to incorporate the work of a Somali/Canadian rapper by the name of K’Naan into their substantiated indie pop. Yet, suprisingly, it works! And why shouldn’t it. Plenty of rap finds it’s way into a whole multitude of genres and the collaborations does very well. Didn’t think it would get it my head but I do (slightly embarrassingly) find myself listening to it on Spotify every so often. Video - http://zoewithdots.com/z/c.
I heard Tom perform on TMS (Test Match Special) not so long ago. I believe he thoroughly impressed everybody in the studio that day. Not only single handedly doing justice to a couple of Keane’s bigest hits, but also effortlessly shining as a down to earth grounded personality as well. I think Keane have got it bang on because their music can reach such a diverse audience. I can imagine my dad putting Keane on on a sunny afternoon as much as I can imagine my sister having a good sing along to them and I’m certain my grandma would recognise their music too. They have a big fan base and if they continue what they are doing they will be just fine.
Their new music paired with their outstanding performance at the album launch put to bed my initial pre-gig thoughts that Keane were past their best. They seem a lot more grounded now. For some bands that may have a disastrous impact on their music, but I think this time Keane have got the right balance. They are sticking to what they are good at yet giving it a bit of a twist to keep things fresh. In a nutshell they are continuing to match their fans expectations and if they can do that they can’t go far wrong.
They haven’t managed to sneak their way on to any of my playlists just yet. But I won’t deny if I hear them on the radio I won’t continue flicking through stations and neither would I turn down a free ticket to see them perform again.
(Pictures: Gribiche – Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob-sinclair/4620039664/in/photostream/ & http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob-sinclair/4620035512/)