Releasing their fourth album in
the summer of last year, following a two year break, Kaiser Chiefs return to
the live scene to prove they’re still one of the best live acts around. With older hits gaining the most favourable
crowd reaction, the band will undoubtedly always put on an impressive set.
Unfortunately, I missed first
support act ‘Club Smith,’ but if second support ‘All The Young,’ were anything
to go by, I didn’t miss much. Yes, they
were pretty good, but nothing special. I’d probably compare them to Glasvegas in one
sense, but with the vocals of Elbow’s Guy Garvey. Not a bad combination, and one that the crowd
seemed to enjoy. However, in a time
where the future of ‘Indie’ is being debated, it’s questionable how well All
The Young will fare in terms of sales and success.
For me, the night truly began once
Kaiser Chiefs got on stage. Their set
kicked off with the ever popular Everyday
I Love You Less and Less. The crowd
were instantly whipped up in a frenzy, with people of all ages, including
myself, jumping, or rather being pushed, around and shouting lyrics at the top
of their lungs. Modern Way also grabbed the crowd’s attention, but nothing could
prepare for their reaction to the string of hits that got everyone moving,
literally, in all directions. This
string of hits being Ruby, Na Na Na Na Naa, and I Predict a Riot, the latter perhaps
getting a larger reception thanks to last year’s summer riots. The beer was flowing and being thrown,
creating an (not particularly pleasant smelling, but what do you expect?)
atmosphere that seemed to unite everyone. Frontman Ricky Wilson knows how to get a crowd
riled up, attempting a whole crowd Mexican wave, and encouraging crowd
participation in songs, to name a few.
Of course, Ricky continued
tradition by entering and singing through the crowd for ‘live-only’ track Take my Temperature, a move that
undoubtedly excited those seated along the route he chose to take.
