T in the Park review: Keane

PIANO-driven trio Keane broke through with the maddeningly catchy ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ and ‘Everybody’s Changing’; soft pop-rock anthems with a classical tinge. Shunning guitars as the main instrument in favour of Tim Rice-Oxley’s piano allowed them to stand out from their peers.

Keane - Main Stage

Rating: ***

Frontman Tom Chaplin’s almost angelic vocals fitted the music perfectly, with critics and fans alike lauding them for their originality, with the band nominated for a number of awards.

It seems strange, then, that they chose to pursue a more electronic direction, adding guitarist Jesse Quin in 2007. Sophomore effort Under the Iron Sea and the subsequent world tour took its toll on the band, with Chaplin checking himself into rehab for drink and drug problems.

A large crowd gathered at the Main Stage for their performance however, suggesting that the band still has the ability to draw a crowd. It’s a pity that their music fails to inspire, with songs beginning to blend into one. It’s not that Keane are a poor live band; they can put on a show and their accomplished musicianship is impressive. But there’s very little else to Keane, with a lurking feeling that the band is a one-trick pony.

That aside, Keane’s performance was solid if unspectacular, with the dedicated fans in the audience lapping up every minute of it.