Keane Live @ Arena Moscow

It's time to make a start

to get to know your heart...

We have been waiting since September the 3rd 2009! And here they are! Keane came to Russia to present their fourth studio album 'Strangeland'. A gig took place at relatively new venue - Arena Moscow, which opened maybe a year and a half ago. One of the biggest venues in Moscow - Arena seated approximately 5 thousand (!) Keane fans on 4th of April!

I must say, we came prepared for the show. A month ago about 100 of us decided that we should prepare memorable welcome for our favorite band and so we did the following...

firstly, hundred of white A4 signs with the words 'WELCOME BACK!' rose in the air as soon as we saw the boys taking the stage!

secondly, right after the first song dozens of flowers (Gerberas) were thrown on the stage (in Russia it's usually very common to thank artists for their performances with flowers). To this we got Tom's reply - "I think, that's the most beautifully decorated stage I've ever been to". Right after these words poor Tom spent a few minutes collecting them off the stage. He got a handful of the flowers and put them in that box he usually stands on during some songs.

I took a vid of that...

thirdly, the glowsticks - we agreed on lighting them together precisely at the beginning of 'Silenced By the Night' - for the mood! I bet from the stage it looked beautiful.

to all of this I must add endless FREAKIN' LOUD screaming of 'WE LOVE KEANE', 'THANK YOU KEANE', 'СПАСИБО KEANE', 'RUSSIA LOVES KEANE' or simply 'KEANE' on repeat. Sometimes the crowd screamed so loud and for so long, guys couldn't start the song (poor chaps were giving us signals to calm down, but hey - WE CAN'T CALM DOWN, KEANE DON'T COME TO RUSSIA EVERY DAY!)

anyways, the atmosphere was magical/electrified/captivating/energized - those who have been on Keane gigs can continue the list...

Here's the setlist:

My Shadow

Day Will Come

Nothing In My Way

Everybody's Changing

The Starting Line

This Is the Last Time

Sovereign Light Café

Spiralling

A Bad Dream

Disconnected

Bend and Break

Black Rain

Perfect Symmetry

You Are Young

Somewhere Only We Know

On the Road

Bedshaped

Is It Any Wonder?

Encore:

19. Sea Fog

20. Silenced by the Night

21. Crystal Ball

Boys started with 'My Shadow', which was a bit unusual as we all expected something energetic, but nevertheless everyone in the crowd took up the melody and started singing!

Tom was especially shocked when during the new songs he heard us also singing along - "I'm so happy to hear you guys know already all the lyrics. You guys are Internet geniuses." - he said.

During the gig there was a girl standing with a sign - 'Tom, please wish me a Happy Birthday!'.

Tom took the sigh and asked her name. "Kate!" - first, he didn't hear and said "Gay?!" xD and then "ah, Kate! But wait that's an English name, are you English?!" (anyways Tom being lovely as usual wished her a Happy B-day and continued the show).

Here it is...

Right before 'A Bad Dream' - Tom mentioned that they haven't played it for ages, but were asked to sing it at the gig during the radio show in the morning. (He also said that they had no idea the song was so popular in Russia, since the venue squealed with delight after he introduced that song - the same happened at St. Petersburg gig btw).

Here's that part...(plus the moment of how Tom reacts on flowers thrown on the stage)

Tom apologizing for the fact that it's taken them so long to release a new record...

I always love the moment when 'Everybody's Changing' starts - the venue bursts with screams. I even saw a grumpy security guard singing along to it.

"You guys are fucking brilliant!" - Tom Chaplin.

Pics time (first ones are from phone)...

sorry for a bit crappy quality but I decided to share everything...