Gig played on 26/10/06

"This is the best therapy in the world", Tom Chaplin smiles as he surveys the 8,000-strong crowd. The relief is obvious. It's been a long two months for Keane. Back in August, in one of the most unexpected of celebrity rehab stories, Chaplin checked in to The Priory as he fought alcohol and cocaine problems. The singer had always seemed a well-balanced star, but at a snap the group cancelled their North American tour, their future plunged into doubt.

Chaplin could apparently see Ally Pally from his Priory window. Tonight, two weeks after he left the clinic, he makes an unlikely, triumphant return. Hardly a Pete Doherty character, Chaplin is some distance from the rock'n'roll stereotype and Keane are definitely not a rock'n'roll band. A scan of the crowd reveals mums and dads with children, courting couples, city types in suits. There's espresso for sale, organic hot chocolate and Brazilian donuts. It's all very civilised. No, Keane aren't very rock'n'roll. But they are great songwriters.

Tim Rice-Oxley's stadium-filling keyboards echo those of U2 circa "War" and there are shades of Coldplay here too. In fact Chaplin's humble, charming showman striding the stage has a lot in common with Chris Martin. "It's a huge honour and a privilege for us small town boys to be here", he declares. Tonight the boys from Battle, Sussex play just about every song from Brit award winning debut "Hopes And Fears" and this year's fine follow-up "Under The Iron Sea". It's an arresting set, peaking in the wondrous "Everybody's Changing" and mournful ballad "We Might As Well Be Strangers".

Earlier in the evening, as Tim and drummer Richard Hughes take a break, Chaplin slumps onto the piano stool. "I need a rest because I've given everything else up." he says, an appreciative roar rising from the crowd. "Talking about clean living and making amends and turning your life around, this song is a powerful theme for me." The singer's disarming honesty makes "Try Again" one of tonight's highlights. Meanwhile, for "Your Eyes Open" Chaplin fleshes out the keyboards, drums and vocals with delicately strummed acoustic guitar, while "Hamburg Song", apparently written by Tim as Tom battled his evident addictions, is a poignant, church organ-led hymn.

Continuing the darker side of Keane's new album, "A Bad Dream" opens with a reading of Yeats' poem, "An Irish Airman Foresees His Own Death", while the song is backed by black and white footage of war-time ballroom dancers in gas masks. It's a very powerful few minutes from a very powerful evening. Indeed, tonight we witnessed a band back from the brink. Only time will tell whether, after only two months away, Chaplin can cope with the pressures of fame once more. But for now, Keane have a future they can believe in.

by Gary Crossing