Slimmed-down frontman Keane to impress

LEAD singer Tom Chaplin’s waistline was the only trimmed down element of Keane’s energetic and colourful performance at the Manchester Arena last night.

Slimmed down to an almost unrecognisable version of the bloated frontman who burst on to the scene a decade ago, Chaplin is revelling in his music again after overcoming his personal demons, and his enthusiasm rubbed off on an appreciative, near-capacity crowd.

After setting the tone with new tune “You Are Young” off latest album “Strangeland” — the band’s fifth studio record — Keane moved nicely between old hits and more recent efforts to keep everyone happy.

“Everybody’s Changing”, almost everyone’s favourite single from debut effort “Hopes and Fears”, popped up surprisingly early, five songs into the setlist, and got everyone up on their feet.

Chaplin couldn’t stop thanking the Manchester contingent for their backing and, in turn, they did not mind one bit that when the eloquent singer starts chatting he is reminiscent of a young David Cameron welcoming competition winners for a tour of 10 Downing Street.

“Silenced by the Night” is a clever slow-burner which demonstrates the strengths of Chaplin, keyboard player (and lyricist) Tim Oxley and drummer Richard Hughes, and the main man went solo for “This Is The Last Time” on acoustic guitar, which was warmly received.

As with most bands entering their second decade, the oldies will always get the biggest cheers and the addition of “Somewhere Only We Know” and “Bedshaped” back-to-back before the encore is the band’s own nod to that fact.

“Crystal Ball” rounded off a smashing return to the North-West for East Sussex’s finest.