Keane performing their Cause And Effect Tour at The Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Friday 4th October 2019



Images and Review by Kevin Cooper

There wasn’t a seat to be had last night as English alternative rock band, Keane brought their first tour in seven years to the Royal Concert Hall. Personal circumstances meant that in 2013 front man Tom Chaplin disappeared to deal with his ongoing addictions, whilst songwriter Tim Rice Oxley endured his own problems following the breakdown of his marriage.

But that was then and this is now and as drummer Richard Hughes, bassist Jesse Quinn joined keyboard player Oxley and singer Chaplin on stage, it was as though they had never been away.

With the fans having waited a long time for this night, Keane repaid them with an excellently paced set list that featured songs spanning fifteen years. But touring to promote their fifth studio album, Cause And Effect, it was new song, You’re Not Home, that kicked off the proceedings. Starting with just Chaplin’s voice over synthesised sounds, the song ended with the entire band joining in for its bursting finale, before they launched into another new song, Phases.

The audience went wild for Bend And Break and were on their feet where they remained for the bands set of twenty six songs including top ten hit, Everybody’s Changing which was a glorious collaboration between band and audience.

With the audience well and truly captivated, it was songs from Keane’s debut album, Hopes And Fears that had everyone singing along. There was the beautiful haunting rendition of She Has No Time which was a firm favourite. Other high points included Put The Radio On, one of the best new tracks, together with Perfect Symmetry and You Are Young.

With Oxley stepping forward for Spiralling, he showed that his unique use of the piano is still incredibly refreshing. And despite a cold, Chaplin put on a solid vocal performance that seemed to get better as the night went on, no more so than on the sad and brutally honest new song, Strange Room.

This Is The Last Time started the rounding off and the fans were well and truly satisfied with their favourites, Bedshaped and recent single The Way I Feel segued beautifully into the song covered by Lilly Allen for the John Lewis Christmas commercial, Somewhere Only We Know.

The concert ended with encore song, Sovereign Light Cafe, which took this crowd on a trip down memory lane, and as they left the Hall agreeing that the wait had been worth it, Keane had not just delivered a brilliant musical performance but an all round incredible show.

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