Show Review

I had the rare luck, on the night I went to see Keane play, to walk in just as they were taking the stage. I didn’t miss a note, and I also did not have to linger in standing-room- only Bimbo’s in the way that I sometimes do: mildly amused by opening acts, spacing out my drinks so as to not dull the bands effect or bless myself with an unplanned sledgehammer headache the next day at work. Instead, I was struck right away by the backlit showmanship and the striking synergy of this juggernaut threesome from the U. K. There’s something to be said for immediate gratification.

A simple aggregate of drums, versatile keyboards and heartfelt vocals, Keane filled the red velvet room at Bimbo’s with gushing tributes to righteous melancholy and the changes brought on by time. Bands that venture out sans six-string are somewhat rare, so it’s good to see one who can do it as fluidly as they do. I never once wanted for a guitar in the time they were onstage; it was a refreshing departure from the usual.

The show on this night was a flurry of songs from the band’s first (and outstanding) major label disc Hopes and Fears—which, incidentally, has already sold over 100,000 copies and is still going strong. Songs like “Somewhere Only We Know” and “Bend &Break” met with the uproarious approval they deserved, and the crowd sang along happily with every song. Keane’s songs have a foot-tapping grandeur to them; almost an inspirational tone that demands noticing. There is a tinge of Coldplay to their sound, but it’s a bit more of a fluffy pop than their fellow Kingdom subjects. The band was pretty active onstage--surprising considering their songs are more for sitting and thinking than jumping up and down. They all banged their heads in rhythym; a triumvirate of boyish energy set on getting the crowd to the same level they were. It was endearing, even if they did look like infants not yet in control of their neck muscles.

Keane is a likeable band, if you are to believe what you hear from them onstage. Lead singer Tom Chaplin embodies the grateful, deferential artist constantly pinching himself for the dream life he’s living. He told a few short stories onstage, one about a girl that he was in love with back in England that harshly broke up with him. He indicated--with a redemptive, humble smile—that she had now changed her mind. Adding to that, the band even encouraged people to download their songs for free off the web, which is always appreciated from a band these days. It makes you think that it’s not all about the money to them, and that makes the music sound just a little bit better.

There was one sour note on an otherwise good night– it was a very short show. There was only a quick set, followed by one brief encore. As amicable as they were, it was almost as if they had somewhere else to be. The brevity was slightly disappointing for me; although I really like the work they did on the album, the show didn’t really solidify them as musicians committed to their fan base. I realize they have only one album to their credit, but I ended up feeling like they were being whisked up onstage with very few arrows in their musical quiver. They had an opportunity to harden the relationship they have with the fans; instead, they left many unsatisfied; looking at their watches in disenchantment, wanting more for their money.

Keane’s success hasn’t reached its peak, and I’m glad I got to see them before they really take off. The next time I see them, though, I just hope that they stay onstage long enough to make a lasting impression. Immediacy is great, but only when it’s paired with a long night’s worth of music.