Keane take the Brixton Academy somewhere only they know

Selling over five million albums with their debut record Hopes & Fears, Keane followed a path that not every fan appreciated. They first tried to get bigger with Under the Iron Sea and then louder, turning up the electro influences with the help of Stuart Price, who produced Perfect Symmetry.

It took the band four years to write and record their new album Strangeland, and things seemed to have worked out just fine.

The Brixton Academy was totally sold out during the group’s two consecutive nights, and it comes as no surprise that Keane decided to do what their audience was waiting for: go back to basics, with mellow compositions, a tender and melodic piano sound and a very relaxing and feel-good atmosphere.

The trio-turned-quartet from East Sussex played a comprehensive set, touching base with all their releases: the performance began with album opener You Are Young and the upbeat Day Will Come.

Delivering a mix of hits and fan favourites, Keane delighted the crowd with classic Everybody’s Changing, the bitter-sweet Neon River, the empathic Perfect Symmetry, new singles Disconnected and Sovereign Light Café and the fantastic Somewhere Only We Know.

The encore peaked with Silenced by the Night and closed with their American-market-oriented Crystal Ball.

Keane proved tonight that they are still on the ball, and having rediscovered how to please their own crowd, their next concerts at the O2 Arena will be shows not to be missed.

Filippo L’Astorina, the Editor