Question were prepared with Keane Nederland and Keane Germany, during the Keane 20 European tour

We are happy to see you play again here in Europe! How have you guys been enjoying this tour so far ?
Richard : This has been the most enjoyable tour in many years. The atmosphere at the shows has been incredible - really warm and joyful, and we really notice that, and feed off it.

Couple of shows in on this tour and your set seems to be longer than ever. How do you guys stay fit to perform such energetic shows night after night ?
I think playing the shows helps keep us fit. We all exercise quite a bit whether we are on tour or not. I still cycle lots, run and rock climb. I managed to get to a great climbing wall in Brussels called Arkose Canal.

European audiences often have a unique energy and appreciation for your music. How have you found the reception to your anniversary tour compared to when you first released the album ?
It has been brilliant. There is such a huge range of fans - in age, background and history with the band, that it has made the shows feel like massive celebrations - we see familiar faces but also know there will be people seeing their first keane show, or first ever live music, which is very special.

The set list thus far is obviously Hopes and Fears heavy, but how do you decide which songs from the other albums will make it to the set list ?
Tom is the setlist king... but we know there are certain songs, mainly singles I guess, that people will really want to hear, so we try to play as many of those as we can.

Do you have any specific memories of concerts or recording sessions in Europe from the past 20 years ?
Where to start?! Obviously making Perfect Symmetry in Paris and Berlin was a magical experience, but also just the experience of being on the tourbus and driving across Europe - from Scandinavia to Spain and Portugal. We've played a lot of European festivals over the years, many memories there - I think there was a Werchter with a whole load of young bands from 2003/4 that was really great - I remember watching lots of the other bands - The Killers, Snow Patrol and I particularly remember watching the wonderful Amy Winehouse.

The European dates seemed to sell out rather fast. What does it mean to you that you are still so successful after 20 years ?
It means the world. We love that these songs still mean so much to people, and to a new younger audience too. It's incredible.

Because of social media, you seem to have reached out to a new, much younger audience, but what do you think resonates so well with fans ?
I guess it is the honesty of Tim's songwriting, and the same qualities in the music that brought people to us in the first place; and when we play live shows I think we are playing better, and having more fun than ever before.

Many European shows are coming in June and over the summer ( in the Netherlands on 21st of June, in France on 22nd of July, in Germany from 7th to 9th of August…) ! Among the European cities you will be visiting, what one are you most excited to go to and why ?
It will be great to do some new places - Bodo in the Arctic Circle will be a great experience, plus our first time in Romania.

What Europe speciality are you looking forward to the most ?
I love pastries, so French croissants and Portuguese Pastel de Nata!

What are you currently listening to, reading or watching on the tour bus ?
We (band) were just texting about how amazing the new Crowded House album 'Gravity Stairs' is. Tom recommended The Hour to me so I've been watching that. It's great.

Did you ever go to an album celebration show from another band that was memorable and/or which album would you love to see in its entirety live ?
I went to the U2 Joshua Tree show - it was unbelievably good. I'd love to see the original R.E.M. lineup (with Bill) play basically any of their albums.

Future wise, in a couple of interviews, you have emphasised that the creative process has changed within the band. How is this new dynamic going so far, and are there new songs you are happy with ?
There are quite a few new songs floating around. We have spent a few days in Tim and Jesse's studios but with no grand plan, but there are a lot of songs I love, and not just ones written by Tim - this is very exciting for us all - you know how good Tom and Jesse are as songwriters, so why not have them contribute too ?

Thanks for all the questions and hopefully see lots of you over the summer.