Huge 90s and 00s band release first new music for five years after global fame and 13m record sales
A POPULAR band who have racked up 13 million in record sales have released their first new music for five years.
Keane are dropping previously unreleased track “Love Actually” to coincide with re-release of the classic British film.
The band, fronted by Tom Chaplin, wrote a single of the same name which was put forward for the 2003 movie.
Keane’s track was produced by the band before they were signed, and written in the hopes of getting it into the upcoming film.
But after not making the cut initially, the brand new track has dropped as part of their 20-year-anniversary for their debut album Hopes And Fears.
Two decades on since its release, Love Actually is still one of the nation’s best loved Christmas films.
Hugh Grant‘s prime minister character famously knocked on the door to confess his love for co-star Martine in one of the all-time classics.
The festive flick unites Brits around the country and millions of us gather around our TV screens to watch it every year.
However, director Richard Curtis didn’t use Keane’s track for the cult movie after being offered it, and has regretted it ever since.
Mr Curtis said he made a “dreadful mistake” after not including it in the film.
In a statement, Richard said: “Everyone makes mistakes – even if they’re understandable ones. When I first listened to ‘Love Actually’ by this totally unknown combo called Keane, I thought it was beautiful.
“I tried really hard to put it in the film – but in the end it was a little melancholy and, dare I say, a bit deep for the film I’d made. Of course, I realised what a dreadful mistake that had been when 6 months later ‘Hopes & Fears’ was Number 1 in the charts.”
He continued: “It is so wonderful that the song is now being released for everyone to hear.
“I’ve listened to it a lot over the years and love it even more now than I did then.
“And this time, myself and my son Spike have made a little edit of the whole film to go with the song.
“I think I actually prefer that 3 minute version of “Love Actually” to the long, chaotic film that’s been doing the rounds now for 20 years.”
Keane’s popularity around the world has never wavered – even when they went on hiatus for six years.
Thankfully, they reunited, releasing their fifth album in 2019 ‘Cause and Effect’, which peaked at Number 2 in the UK, proving that their reunion was well worth it.
With five studio albums now under their belt, 2024 will mark 20years since the release of their debut ‘Hopes and Fears’.
‘Hopes and Fears’ peaked at Number 1 in the UK and was certified 9 times Platinum, Keane got back in the studio in 2005 whilst on tour.
Their second album ‘Under The Iron Sea’. was released in June 2006 and spawned singles ‘Is It Any Wonder?’, ‘Leaving So Soon?’ and ‘Crystal Ball’, peaking at Number 1 and scoring a 3 times Platinum certification in the UK.
Album track ‘A Bad Dream’ later appeared in an episode of Scrubs in 2007.
Two years later, ‘Perfect Symmetry’ was released in 2008, containing ‘Spiralling’ and ‘The Lovers Are Losing’ and going to Number 1 in the UK with a Platinum certification.
Keane is made up of Tom Chaplin on lead vocals and guitar, Tim Rice-Oxley on piano and bass guitar with Richard Hughes on drums.
Jesse Quin joined the band in 2007 as an additional member, playing bass, electric and acoustic guitar, before joining as a permanent member in 2011.
Dominic Scott was a founding member, playing electric guitar, but left in 2001.
Keane are not on tour at the moment – but they will be in 2024.
The band will be embarking on a world tour, hitting British arenas in May next year.
The 2024 dates will kick off on April 1 with a stop in Mexico City, before the band make their way over to Europe and the UK.
A US leg has also been confirmed for September, including shows at prestigious venues including the Greek Theatre in LA, the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.