It’s been far too long since Keane has toured North America, seven years to be exact. The English rock band had been on hiatus as various members were dealing with substance abuse and relationship difficulties and even ventured off with their own solo projects. Keane’s frontman, Tom Chaplin, released two successful solo albums over that time and toured the States as recently as 2017. He would eventually find new inspiration with his bandmates as Tim Rice-Oxley (vocals/keyboardist) had written an album’s worth of incredibly personal songs fueled by humor as well as pain that would eventually become their recently released album, ‘Cause and Effect’. The band gave a solid performance at the Fox Theater in Oakland, which was the fourth show of their North American tour before the recent coronavirus pandemic declaration postponed touring. Keane played to an excited crowd eager to see the band after the time off and delivered a highly entertaining show filled with nostalgia and showed that their new material translates well in a live setting. This was evident as they kicked off the set with “You’re Not Home”, off the current release and proceeded to mix things up with songs from their previous works including “Day Will Come” and “Silenced by the Night” both from their last studio album, ‘Strangeland'(2012). Keane presented a great mix of music that spanned their five albums that would reach back to their debut ‘Hopes and Fears’ (2004) by playing “Bend and Break” and “Bedshaped” as well as “Is It Any Wonder?”, “Crystal Ball” and “Nothing in My Way” from their 2006 release ‘Under the Iron Sea’. The crowd was predictably most vocal during the band’s most recognizable songs “Somewhere Only We Know” and “Everybody’s Changing” that helped put the band on the map. Concluding the encore with “Sovereign Light Café'” was a perfect way to end the night with Keane, as the fan-favorite encapsulates the band’s appeal and ability to create anthemic sing-alongs that leave the audience wanting more.
