09.21.05
“Ah, he’s old and dyes his hair anyway.”
So said Keane’s vocalist Tom Chaplin of Sir Paul McCartney during their show that Jeff and I attended at The Tabernacle last night. Actually, Tom was merely commenting on the fact that they were very grateful and appreciative that they were able to play a sold-out show at the Tabernacle the same night that the famous ex-Beatle was playing a sold-out show literally across the street at Philips Arena.
This was the second time this year that Jeff and I were able to see Keane live in Atlanta. The first time was back in January at The Roxy Theater in Buckhead. The first show was very understated, but very good. You could kind of tell that they were still kind of new to this whole headlining a tour thing. Tom was fairly quiet then - he didn’t speak much to the audience except for a few quiet “Thank Yous” and to tell us what song they were playing next. But, in all, it was still a very enjoyable show.
What a difference eight months make! This was the first show on their new tour (with opening act The Long Winters - quite good as well!). In the time since we last saw them, their stage presence has grown tremendously. In a 180 from the quiet guy who didn’t talk much and barely moved from behind the microphone in January, Tom was getting the crowd on their feet and dancing in the aisles last night, especially during “Bend and Break” and “Everybody’s Changing.” Pianist Tim Rice-Oxley seems to have borrowed a page from “The Chris Martin Manual on How to Look Like You’re Having the Time of Your Life While Sitting on a Piano Bench.” He was dancing about as much as those of us in the audience. I didn’t get to see much of drummer Richard Hughes, mostly because, well, he was behind the drum kit the entire time. 
It was a very, VERY good show. A great Act I to the three-act play of concerts that Jeff and I will be attending over the next few months. Next up: Coldplay (with openers Rilo Kiley) on September 28. I am fully geeked out about this one! 
I heard that Keane will be opening for U2 in some of their northeast dates in October. Color me jealous! If any of you are lucky enough to have tickets to one of those shows, rest assured that the opening act is amazing, and a perfect lead-in to one of the best live acts there is. You won’t be disappointed!
Set List
1. Can’t Stop Now
2. Your Eyes Open
3. Sunshine
4. Bend and Break
5. We Might As Well Be Strangers
6. Nothing in Your Way (New song)
7. Hamburg Song (Another new song)
8. Snowed Under
9. Everybody’s Changing
10. She Has No Time
11. Somewhere Only We Know
Encores:
1. Sorry
2. This is the Last Time
3. Bedshaped
