Photo: Filippo L'Astorina
Having been a fan of Keane since they unleashed Hopes and Fears back in 2004, I figured it was about time I ventured out and saw at least one of them in action. Embarking on his second tour since going it alone, Tom Chaplin took up residence at London’s prestigious Palladium for the night, showcasing not only his solo album, but the gems from an almighty back catalogue of Keane tracks. Chaplin’s debut solo album The Wave was well received when released in October last year, and it was no surprise that the room was packed and raring to go.
Clad in a sparkly golden bomber jacket almost as loud as the speakers, Chaplin followed his band of four onstage to rapturous applause. It was evident from the off that the room was filled with die hard Chaplin fans who weren’t there just for a nostalgia trip back to the mid-noughties. As the five took their places on stage, a lone violin crooned the first few notes of album opener ‘Still Waiting’, as the piano and Chaplin’s gentle yet commanding vocals echoed around the room for the first time of the evening. As the introduction to Chaplin’s set came to a close, the applause and shouts of ‘we love you Tom’, rang around as he introduced himself to the audience.
Chaplin swiftly kicked into the second tune of the night, ‘Hardened Heart’, before delving into ‘Bend & Break’, which saw the whole room shoot to their feet as soon as the first piano chord had been struck. The atmosphere was ecstatic as the quiff-rocking songster entwined his solo work with Keane tracks. Chaplin has one of the most recognisable voices in pop music and even though he’s performed on some of the biggest stages in the UK, he still seems thankful for what he has. ‘’I’m enjoying taking it in, these things don’t come around so often’’, he declares, encouraging the crowd’s applause with a cheeky grin.
After bellowing out a perfect set, while often taking time to talk sweetly of his mum, dad, wife and daughter and of the troubles he’s faced over his life, Chaplin explained how he and the band would wander off stage, wait for the audience to applaud loudly enough and then return to play an encore. Of course, the audience of Chaplinites played their part and after a couple of minutes the band returned, playing ‘Turning Back’ followed by a cover of The Kinks’ classic ‘Waterloo Sunset’ - in a nod to the capital cities musical history - before taking the roof off with renditions of ‘Everybody’s Changing’ and ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ and ending the night on ‘See It So Clear’, with the help of producer Matt Hales, support act Ainslie Wills and ‘Solid Gold’ co-star JONES.
It’s not always easy for the frontman of a successful band to go solo, but Tom Chaplin, with the songwriting ability he holds, was never destined to be one of the unlucky ones. and I’m sure I’m not the only one who is eager for a second album.
