Amazon sessions: An evening with Keane – interview and performance at Platform Theatre

29^th April 2012

29 April 2012

Set at the brand new Platform Theatre of the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in Kings Cross, the Amazon session hosted a Q&A and performance from one of the most successful British bands of the new millennium: Keane.

Formed in Sussex over ten years ago, Keane reached international fame with their debut record Hopes and Fears. The band is now touring to promote the release of their new album Strangeland on 7^th May.

Joking about their similarities and rivalry with Coldplay, Keane explained why it took them so long (four years) to produce some new material: they wanted to take their own time, relax and see things from a natural perspective.

After the “overproduced” Perfect Symmetry, Strangeland is a back-to-basics work, a return to their origins, with the addition of a bass player who is now a permanent member of the band.

Once the friendly “chat” was over, the band moved on to play a mix of classics and new tracks: the set opened with This Is the Last Time, the song that showed the group that they could break into the music industry.

The focus shifted to new material with singles Disconnected and Silenced By The Night, played with visible emotion. Then the ensemble moved onto Is It Any Wonder?, Everybody’s Changing, The Starting Line and their new classic Sovereign Light Café – clearly the piece that defines the sound of this new phase.

The set finished with Somewhere Only We Know, Sea Fog and regular closer Bedshaped.

Keane displayed an exceptional form and eagerness to get their quality pop music back out there, so once again: make sure you have your radio turned on from 7^th May.

Filippo L’Astorina, the Editor