Keane. Thetford Forest
Seven and a half thousand people have very clearly had a fantastic evening, Keane have absolutely smashed it out of the woods, just like they did the last time that they were here.
Oh, it’s so good to be back in this beautiful open space isn’t it and on the hottest day of the year so far at that. From the first break in the twenty-two-song set list some three songs in, Tom Chaplin seems concerned at the heat up there on stage and he is as concerned for us lot down here as he is his hot and sweaty band mates. Will we all last the course? He also comments that its great to see so many young people in the crowd, that are maybe a direct result of their debut album that was released some eighteen years ago now.
They start proceedings with Disconnected and immediately the crowd are in the zone and ready to enjoy themselves, it prompts the young man behind me to sing every word to not just this, but every single song on the set list here on in. He is having a great time as indeed are the rest of us, we have all had to wait very patiently for this evening that was initially due to happen pre Covid. Friday night is always the best night for gigs, for most of us that are lucky enough, it’s the end of the working week and time to start relaxing and enjoying ourselves ready for the weekend and tonight is no different judging by the vibrant mood that’s already in the air.
Since their electrifying beginning with their debut album, Hopes and Fears, they have at times had their challenges individually and collectively, but these days that all seems well and truly in the dark and distant past. They have the same fizz, spark, and energy about them as they did at the outset and very clearly, they are still having a great time. By now the sticky heat has already been long forgotten as everyone is singing at the top of their voices, it’s a spectacle to behold and they are very appreciative of the love and support that they are getting.
The first three songs including Day Will Come and Silenced by the Night are all taken from the excellent Strangerland album from 2012, and they certainly hit the spot but as soon as they burst into Nothing in My Way, the crowd are in raptures and yes, by now the lad behind me is in full voice, still having the time of his life. He makes me and those around us smile all the way through the show.
It’s time to cool down and Chaplin leads into the beautiful Strange Room. But were soon back in full voice again as they launch into Bend and Break.
He reminds us of all just what a great front man he is, one minute his is dancing and skipping around the stage, then the next he is calming it all down and delivering songs like She Has No Time, he is sounding very resplendent. What an amazing song that is, what a voice? It’s just amazing a truly magical moment.
Everybody’s Changing and Is It Any Wonder kick off the last third of the show and its like a greatest hits package with one hit after another here on in, A Bad Dream, This Is the Last Time and then the very haunting Bedshaped (that reverberates around the trees) this is then followed by Somewhere Only We Know, I guess you get the picture? It’s one big singalong just now and we are left wanting more as they exit the stage to rapturous applause. Unlike so many gigs these days, the crowd are ensuring that the band know that they are wanted back on stage, it’s very noisy as they come back on for three more songs. Neon River, Crystal Ball and finally Sovereign Light Cafe’.
By the end of the night, I leave with Keane’s music and the vocals of the young man behind me still ringing in my ears (I congratulated him on his vocal performance, I am sure that the band would’ve loved it). The initial concerns for the heat at the start of the evening are long gone in the depths of the forest and into the night-time sky. Seven and a half thousand people have very clearly had a fantastic evening, Keane have absolutely smashed it out of the woods, just like they did the last time that they were here.
As a band they have done very well, they are born survivors. After pretty much delivering a greatest hits album with their debut two decades ago they have more than proven their worth and value to British music. There has been a real togetherness this evening, with the band themselves, Chaplin, Tim Rice – Oxley, Richard Hughes and Suffolk born Jesse Quinn and also with the crowd. Keane seem to have had a great time, they were so very receptive, grateful, and gracious to the masses. Phew! We all made it and it really has been a great show this evening, one of the very best that I have seen here over the years. Roll on the summer gigs of 2023 in this majestic setting, it is somewhere only we know.
