Keane @ Berkeley

I am not a gusher. I have never been a gusher. I am about to gush.

Keane played a shockingly impressive set last night at what is now my favorite Bay area venue. There are few bands I have seen who can consistently write songs that dissolve straight into the joyful center of my head. The first time I heard We Might as Well Be Strangers, that happened. Last night, Keane played a sprinkling of their new songs, and once again, squish, I am hooked. It's unprecedented. There is no chance that I won't buy their new album.

It doesn't hurt that the band members are endearing English boys who lavish their mature performances with heartfelt appreciation, genuine human interest, and enthusiasm. Keane is currently the only mainstream pop band that I trust. Chris Martin should take notes on how not to be a sweltering buffoon.

The final stroke was a visually satisfying blend of smooth search lights in soft colors, stroking fingers across the ornate and majestic surfaces of the Berkeley Community Theater. The standard rock-and-roll pomp that makes me want to squeeze one of my eyeballs was left out, drama finding its own outlet in Keane's thoughtful, evocative songwriting and aforementioned salient charm.

Do you feel the gushing yet?

To be completely objective, mood certainly has an impact on the concert experience, and I was in a good one. Good because I was feeling optimism and peace tinged with a bit of second-hand self-pity, as I looked at the pair of empty seats I had brought along to join me. I had gotten over the fact that the 3 people I was expecting to go with couldn't make it, and that the two people I had asked to go in their place had flaked out, but when after 15 minutes of running around like a monkey in front of the will call window proved unsuccessful at selling more than one of my tickets for clearance prices, I decided to donate the two to a friend I'd made in the process.

On a completely unrelated note, it's interesting to see who joins in when you're being loud and foolish in a public place. I found myself descending into low grade standup just to get attention, begging people to take my tickets, offering hugs and other stupid incentives. Within a few minutes there were 5 people standing next to me with various states of tickets to be sold, looking for some sales support. There were also several sitting and standing in various places laughing and smiling and making suggestions. Ah, the deprived masses.

In any case, one of my friends-by-colocation who claimed love for the band offered to trade my remaining pair of seats (which were destined for trash heaven) for theirs since mine were better. In hopes for some kind of company and charitability toward a fan... as you can infer, they didn't show up either.

So my advice: If you're going to see a band, see Keane. If you're going to see Keane, see them by yourself. And if you go by yourself, make sure you invite as many people as possible who won't show. And if they don't show, make sure you invite other people who won't show either. And if they don't show either, try to give their seats away to people who you think might just enjoy the concert, and if they don't show either, then you'll have the best show of your life.