Review: Kasabian @ CIA
Probably the best live band in Britain, Kasabian smashed into the CIA for the penultimate gig on their UK arena tour. Their Mercury Prize nominated album, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum is a stunner and a thrilling third record. Many have disregarded them as a "Poor Man’s Oasis" but I simply don’t agree; I’m a huge Oasis fan, but Kasabian offer something different and to compare the two directly is just ignorant. It was Sunday the 22nd November and weren’t we in for a night
Act 1: REVEREND AND THE MAKERS
The Sheffield electro-indie boppers strolled on completely unannounced and performed a sterling set, with melodic attitude and, ahem, interesting dance moves. Their big hit, Heavyweight Champion Of The World, went down very well as did Silence Is Talking although I particularly enjoyed He Said He Loved Me, a catchy little number with a bit of bite. If you haven’t heard of them then check ‘em out- although they sound a lot better live than on record, me thinks.
Act 2: Introducing the main attraction; KASABIAN
I was very excited by this point, I must add, as I have been a long-time fan of the Leicester-based rockers. After three-minutes or so of six-a-clock news-like chimes and on screen countdowns, the night well and truly began. The band came out and got straight into it, tearing up the place like I’ve never seen before. Tom Meighan, the cockily adorable lead singer, has a Liam Gallagher-like swagger which is simply irresistible and automatically strikes a chord with the ‘animal within’. Cue organised madness. And forget the organised bit
The whole stage was framed by a giant rectangular light box, leaving the band as subjects of a painting. This was art at its most ferocious. My memory of the set-list is somewhat poor, but Underdog, one of four singles taken from their recent album, was early on and with lyrics like “I got my cloak and dagger, in a bar room brawl” entwined with the band’s boisterous melodies, it was always gonna be popular. Empire, from their 2006 second album of the same name, was perhaps the highlight of the night; the arena anthem certainly lived up to its reputation.
Kasabian really varied the pace though, allowing the band to show off its musicality, dexterity and vocal abilities; Meighan’s voice has something that Gallagher’s never had - real live quality. The Doberman includes marvellous flamenco-like trumpet solos, executed excellently by a trumpeter (would you believe it?) whose name escapes me. The gig went on with endless belt-outs and I was once again surprised by Meighan’s vocal strength. His plucked eyebrows and shaved, yes, shaved head (he has sported a floppy mop since who knows when) created some laughs but Kasabian-gig-going virgins, as myself and a woman near to me were, couldn’t believe his voice! Fire, their recent single, was massive and I’ve never sweated so much in my life. I was, by the way, one of the most enthusiastic head bangers at the gig. LSF finished off the evening, its club qualities and football-chant like chorus accompanied by what can only be described as a massive exercise ball, which was kicked out into the crowd. The tune was sung by all as we reluctantly left for exits.
Tired, voiceless and struck with the annoyance of not being able to afford a gig t-shirt, I headed home. Wasn’t bad for a Sunday night. All that is left to say is this; if someone offers you Kasabian tickets, don’t hesitate. Say yes but then pass them on to me. Promise?
