Twenty years on, Hopes and Fears remains a masterpiece, untouched by time. Few bands will have a moment like this, and even fewer will stick around to celebrate it at this magnitude. I saw this original tour in Houston, Texas in 2005 and now nearly two decades later, I’m amid 20,000 fans at a sold-out night two at the famed O2 Arena in London. The energy is electric, the music transcendent, and Keane’s timeless sound isn’t just enduring—it’s thriving, with the crowd’s roaring approval as proof.
Tim Rice-Oxley hammers on the keyboards like a heavy metal guitarist shreds during a face-melting guitar solo. You really can’t take your eyes off this guy as he’s clearly having the time of his life, pouring his heart and soul into every smash of the ivories. Tom Chaplin’s voice was the best I’ve ever heard it. Maybe it was made for arenas? It was just next level, and I’ve seen him perform Queen songs where I thought he was peaking. Add to that his signature charismatic leaps, swirls, and fist pumps, and you’ve got that 2004 magic refined and elevated.
The rhythm section of Richard Hughes and Jesse Quin keep it simple but elegant while locking in that signature Keane groove that lays the foundation for their biggest hits. It’s easy to forget that there’s no guitar in this band, something that was a bit of a talk trigger twenty years ago but Keane proved that it’s just not needed for what they do best. The songs, it’s all about the songs. And on this night it was hard to argue with the setlist.
The star of the night was of course Hopes and Fears played in its entirety, and let me tell you, this record still holds up like it was released yesterday. It’s not only one of the all-time best-selling albums in the UK, clocking up more than 3.5 million sales in the UK alone, but it’s a damn near perfect album. You could call it the Hysteria of brit pop with five singles dominating the chart as the hits just kept coming.
With that said, I’m a bit partial to Strangeland as it’s my favourite Keane album and for good reason. The band talks regularly about how this album was their return to form, focusing on keeping things simple and delivering the best songs possible. Rice-Oxley has even gone so far as to call its predecessor Perfect Symmetry, “self-indulgent.” We got three songs from Strangeland, including “You are Young,” “Silenced by the Night,” and “Sovereign Light Cafe,” which all sounded brilliant. However, I was really hoping that “Disconnected” would have made it into the set. Then again, maybe we’ll get a Strangeland“15-year celebration next?
In addition to a spectacular tour that continues across Europe, Hopes and Fears received a grand 20th-anniversary upgrade for 2024. There are several versions of this beast, but the one I got my hands on is the super deluxe edition, which offers a remastered version of the iconic album and a treasure trove for fans.
The box set includes previously unreleased demos and B-sides, providing a fascinating glimpse into the creative process behind the band’s debut. New sleeve notes with insights from the band and original collaborators add another layer of depth, making this a must-have for anyone who cherishes Hopes and Fears. They pulled out all the stops for this one and if you can grab a copy of this limited version it’s got a bonus 7″ and a signed postcard.
It’s hard to believe that Keane has only released five studio albums over the past two decades. Each one not only reflects a specific Keane period but is also divisive with critics. I’m not sure what this band needs to do to get respect from the critics; then again, I’m not sure it even matters at this point. The fans have spoken and continue to do so. Twenty years fly by in the blink of an eye. I would argue that Keane are at the peak of their powers and this is their moment, again.
