Tom Chaplin

22 July 2010

I watched the whole Keane show tonight. I hadn’t seen them play for some time. They were great. The thing which blew me away the most was Toms singing. He’s “the voice”. He can travel to places in full throat most of us can only dream of in falsetto. It’s quite a display. I remembered when we played together in 2003 and he was late for soundcheck, i tried to fill in. I thought “I can do that” so i jumped on stage while the band were running through an instrumental of “Everybody’s Changing” and grabbed the mic only to  quickly realise i’d stepped off the deep end and was thrashing for my life in a cruel sea of flatness like some drunk kareoke singer who chose the wrong tune. It was very funny especially as Tom had walked into the venue in the middle of this and was observing this display from the shadows. It all came back to me tonight. That voice. Those songs.

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36 Responses to “Tom Chaplin”

  1. maria says:

    so no chance of you doing a cover then? lol ;)
    Fh Says “I think I may have to put the capo down afew notches”

  2. sammy says:

    I adore Keane, I think you summed them up perfectly in just four words; that voice, those songs.

    You have a beautiful voice Fran. I love to hear you sing, you always make things better. x

  3. Amy Humphrey says:

    Hahaha – cruel sea of flatness! Now I’M chortling! I’m so intimidated by other singers, but I always think I’m the only one. The hardest part about covering a Rush song was trying to hit the high notes! And I’m a GIRL! Embarrassing.

  4. Kelly says:

    I have to agree. Only Morten Harket in his prime could match that voice. But you and Tom have something in common that no other frontman has (in my experience)…you both exude joy, gratitude, and warmth during concerts. I have seen many who obviously love what they do and love the crowd, etc. But I’ve never seen another who can make the audience feel like an equal partner in the show. Just you and Tom.

  5. vahid says:

    happy birthday.i love your songs.i am from IRAN
    Fran Says “Hello IRAN”

  6. julietravisaddict says:

    Hi Fran! Very cool to see the tour started nicely. Fran, is there a Keane song you wish you had written?

  7. Courtney McGhee says:

    Fran,

    I was lucky enough to hear you play last night and I just wanted to let you know how exciting it was to hear your new songs! “Anything” and “Fly in the Ointment” are already favorites and hearing them last night was such a privilege – particularly in a setting as lovely as The Greek. I eagerly await the release of your album in October. Best wishes for the rest of the tour!

    Courtney M.

  8. marlene says:

    i can´t wait to see your show in houston, im going to travel around 11 hours, i’m from monterrey but I love music and for me it’s worth, you appear in this link today, and i just wanted share it with you, i’m learning english then sorry for mistakes.
    Marlene

    http://themusicslut.com/2010/07/travis-front-man-unveils-solo-debut-album-deets/

  9. Feya says:

    C`mon, you`re not that bad. In fact, you really are a great singer :D
    btw, Happy Birthday! (it`s one hour before July 23 here).
    Good luck with the shows :D

  10. Nikki says:

    He does have a great voice. But yours is better, Fran. The best. Good luck on tour!

  11. Brittany says:

    Such a great set last night Fran. I almost didn’t go cause I knew you’d only be playing for a wee bit but still just awesome! and I also became veggie because of Paul McCartney

  12. Nicole Farzanfar says:

    :-O this made me laugh

  13. Flávia says:

    I agree with you Fran, I’m a massive Keane and Travis fan, and I love your voice as well, I’d kill to see you sing something from Keane :)

  14. Juddy says:

    Fran – The Greek Theatre show was great. Your performance had a real, stripped down, grass-roots feel – just you and your guitar – and you sounded cool. I really like the new songs, too, esp. Buttercups. I must say that it was strange to see you perform while most of the seats were still empty and people were filing in…since you are the star in our eyes. We were there mainly for you, but were pleasantly surprised by Ingrid and Keane. Tom’s voice was very strong. A fantastic evening! Thanks. Looking forward to hearing the whole album. Warm regards and all the best for the rest of the tour.

  15. Debbie (deebee) says:

    Haha nice one! It’s great that you’re able to tour together again. I’ve got good memories of seeing Travis and Keane back at the Brighton centre a few years ago.
    I suppose a person’s voice would go through certain changes with age.

  16. Nebula Star says:

    I feel the same way Fran! I remember a week or so back I had done a karaoke stint at a pub on Keane’s song, “Your Eyes Open”. After I had finished and gone outside, a man passed by and told me “Stick to Drumming”! His voice is indeed a force to be reckoned with and a powerful motivator for me. Good thing I brought kleenex.

    I also wanted to add last night, when you were making references to Radiohead, Travis, Coldplay, Snow Patrol– I wanted to ask you if you on here if you have heard of the Swedish band called “Kent”?? I have just discovered them, though it appears they have been together quite awhile and are well-known in Sweden. They have like-sounding songs with similar vocals in this style or genre if you will, only in Swedish.

  17. april says:

    tom & co were phenomenal, but it was your singing that made me forget that i had intended to go get a very large beer before the show started. i sat down & didn’t get up again when you opened your mouth. the clarity & stretch of your voice is astonishing, even in the upper register…it’s absolutely wonderful…makes my hair stand up. it’s not often that i sit still for an entire set, with my jaw hanging open like a confused fish. good job.

    & the new material is very well done; can’t wait for the release. thanks for making my night.

  18. ema says:

    As a big keane fan, all I can say, is that you’re right; Tom’s THE voice.
    btw, I LOVED buttercups.

  19. Sharon says:

    It was a fantastic LA show last night! Tom’s singing was amazing…I got goosebumps during “This Is The Last Time.” Really enjoyed your set too…please come back to LA soon, with or without Travis!

  20. Lorena says:

    Yes he is pretty amazing. His voice is incredible.

  21. Elizabeth says:

    So, absolutely true! This was our discussion in the care all the way home from the same concert. He sings everything completely on purpose. There is no holding back, no shrinking. Of course, we also spoke fondly of the utterly charming Scotsman who graced us with his guitar. :) Well done you! Loved every minute.

  22. Rachel says:

    FRAN! My husband and I saw you at the Oakland show on tues night. We are from Alberta Canada and made the trip out for our 18th wedding anniversary just to see you! We have been hard core Travis fans from the beginning! You did soooo amazing! LOVED the song Buttercup! We met you after (I was the one who got your set list!) and I still can’t believe how down to earth you are! So incredibly nice to all us fans! Thanks for being such an awesome person and singer! It was our extreme pleasure to see you in concert! can’t wait to see you in edmonton and calgary in august!
    Frans says ” I’ll try and come to alberta”

  23. Melinda says:

    I haven’t seen Keane since 2006. Last night, when Tom came out with a guitar, and there was a bass player, I was befuddled. I had no idea of the changes that they’d made to their live show.

    I was really blown away by Tom’s transition from a shy-ish singer to a full on front man. He looked amazing, sounded amazing, and seemed so much more energetic than he did in the earlier years. What an amazing evolution he’s made!

    BTW – your joke about Oasis + Radiohead = Travis; Travis + Radiohead = Coldplay; Coldplay + Travis = Keane; Keane + Travis = Snow Patrol; Snow Patrol + Keane = Lady Gaga was absolutely hilarious.

    Happy trails to you on this tour, it was great to hear your solo work. Always wonderful to see you.
    Fran says “I dropped some consonants in your name last night. forgiveness…”

    Cheers,
    Melinda

  24. Sandi says:

    New fan! People told me you were brilliant, but I was fully immersed in Keane, and listened to little else for about 5 years. Now I see what I was missing, no regrets, but I am so glad I got a chance to see you at The Greek Wednesday! I enjoyed every second, every sound! You were very entertaining, and so charming, too! About Tom Chaplin & Keane- you are spot on, he has THE voice, and they have the songs, so many amazing songs!The entire concert, You, Ingrid Michaelson,(who I had never heard of), and Keane were all on top form!

  25. Inge says:

    Keane is really my fav band ever! Tom has an absolutely great voice! But your voice, Fran, is great too!

  26. Nathy says:

    I’d like to see if Tom can sing any Travis song with the same passion as you.. like Re-offender! (my fav btw)
    I just listened to Buttercups.. I love it! It makes me want to take my bike and ride it in the fields under a fresh breeze in a sunny day.. I don’t know, I think I went too descriptive here.
    Cheers!

  27. meg says:

    I cant wait to see you and Keane in Philly, PA. You have one of my favorite singing voices, by the way…

  28. Melinda says:

    Aw Fran, no worries about the consonant dropping. Can’t imagine what it would like to be on a stage in a place that big (and amazing). Thanks for saying hi though. Meant a lot! :)

  29. Lalivaldez says:

    All I can say is: you’re so damn right. He IS an amazing singer.. but it’s great to hear those judgments from a musician of your caliber. Lots of love from Argentina , hope to see you here some day!

  30. Gudrun says:

    I just wish Keane and you had told us the tour dates a little bit earlier so I could have adjusted my holiday planning and would have ben able to see you and Keane in Oakland or Vegas! Yes, Tom´s voice is incredible, and having him and you in one package would have been heaven. But sadly – I´m travelling to the US West Coast on Monday. Too late! I missed you!

  31. Ame says:

    Tom’s voice is more than Amazing!

  32. Barry says:

    Hello Fran…..loving your new stuff and cant wait for the album. I think your under estimating the charm and effectivness off your voice and the way your songs make a big impact on people and there lives. Tims got a great voice/songs but doesn’t have the same depth and beauty as your voice and songs. Cant believe you stayed on Kilearn Street ….my grannie lived on Kilearn street and I used to spend a lot of time there between the ages of me being born and being about 6 or 7….then she moved to ayrshire. I still have great memories and probably can dig out some photos of there. I can remember playing out the back eating chips and stuff lol, its amazing how far back people can remeber. What age where you when you lived there?……thats so weird, your both two very big inspirations in my life. My first gig was Oasis and Travis……pretty great for a first gig. Cheers Fran and keep the music coming….barry P.S: Do you remember you phoned me from your tour bus when you where playing with Catatonia….???? I had contacted your tour manager, who said he would get you to phone me and am like yeah right…..and then you phoned the next night….that was a big moment for me I was 16 or 17…..I was at school going Fran Healy phoned me…..and people are like yeah right…you was dreaming ….hahah lol! I might call my album Kilearn Street if I ever get around to making it. Anyway I better stop rabbling on.

  33. Lorena says:

    LOL ..There’s no doubt..you and Tom are my favorite singers….I’m very, very glad to see you both every time you come. I’ll be waiting for you Fran..please..visit Mexico again..please, please, please…The last time, that I know you came here…I was a little sad..beacuse ..Peter Gabriel’s fans…didn’t let me enjoy Travis’ music completely….I’d prefer that you visit us without any other artist..
    Tom Chaplin is so cute and nice…but sincerely, Fran your the nicest with the public…thank you.
    By the way…Tom Yorke…sucks.

  34. Tanya says:

    Lastly I read, that Tom Chaplin´s got a problem with alcoholism and that Keane has disbanded itself … so I said to myself: “Poor Tom, such talented boy, and he turned out like this!”
    But now I am reading something different – Tom is singing, staging?
    Great then!

  35. kevvvy says:

    I seen Keane supporting Travis at the SECC in 2003 and they were amazing. Love the first 2 albums and This Is The Last Time is mindblowing. Seen them headlining the same venue last year and to be honest I’m not a huge fan of Perfect Symmetary. New EP is pretty good mind you. Interesting to see what direction their next album goes in

  36. Asya says:

    Hi, Fran! Love Travis and Keane for all these years, you are amazing. Keane + Travis = !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Come to Russia, please! :) ))

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