The BBC Electric Proms which is now in it’s third year seems to be going from strength to strength. It certainly has become a firm fixture in live music calendar during the autumn season which is traditionally a quiet time. As with last year the BBC has lined up some of the most interesting and eclectic artists around these include The Streets, Africa Express, Glasvegas, 
Oasis, veteran songwriter Burt Bacharach who has just celebrated his 80’s birthday, and Keane whose third album has entered the album charts at No.1, their third No.1 album knocking their rivals Oasis off the pole position.
I have never been a big fan of Keane whose piano rock has become increasingly popular with an over 30 MOR audience who enjoy nice songs performed by clean cut boys. That said Tom Chaplin has had his fair share of “issues” however thankfully he seemed to have recovered from his demons which plagued him last year. Tonight’s gig at Camden’s Koko certainly was an intimate gig for a band who now are more used to playing arenas nevertheless they put on an excellent show to an audience delighted to see them in a very small venue.
The songs which I heard from their new album “Perfect Symmetry” very much followed the formula of their two previous albums with anthemic choruses however they seemed to feature more guitar although their trademark piano riffs are still very prominent. Overall it was a fairly enjoyable gig however I am amazed how popular they have become. Good wholesome boys playing unoffensive pop music however its not really for me.
Written by John Rahim
