Kaiser Chiefs at Leeds Academy
Kaiser Chief's frontman Ricky Wilson showed more than his usual cheek at the opening gig of the newly refurbished Leeds Academy last night.
The Chiefs' normally glacial guitarist Andrew White confessed to nerves before the sell-out concert.
But they were nowhere to be seen as Whitey and his four pals from Leeds brought the house down at the city's newest and largest live music venue.
Their set included a fistful of new tracks from the quintet's third album, Off With Their Heads, due out October 20.
The new songs had a grittier edge in contrast with their earlier popier classics and at times left the audience behind, due largely to their unfamiliarity.
To liven things up Mr Wilson decided to join the crowd during the well received Everyday I Love You Less And Less.
An overzealous bouncer insisted on grabbing his belt as he tried to launch himself into the sweating throng.
As a result the upper tier were 'treated' to a full moon - and it wasn't even midnight - as Ricky's jeans went a little bit south.
Undeterred, he kicked free of his captor and surfed the sea of hands losing his microphone in the process.
Later the lead singer launched a second assault on the crowd, this time with the bouncer's blessing, parting the fans first down the middle before running to the sound deck and crowd surfing his way back to the stage as Take My Temperature played.
Ricky Wilson's voice has more range in the flesh and his stagecraft is now honed to a frenzy-inducing science.
A shin up the rigging towards the end of the set completed his energetic efforts.
Simon Rix was reliable as ever on bassline with Nick Hodgson's drumming and Peanut's keyboarding all helping to underpin the band's accessible sound.
Their tightness as a unit justifies the recent tag as Q Magazine's Best Live Act.
I Predict A Riot got a rapturous reception at the finale and rounded off a proud first night.
Ironically the Kaisers weren't officially the first band to play on the Academy's virgin stage.
That honour fell to Leeds-based quartet The Hair with Vijay Mistry (Drums), brothers Neil and Lee Clark (Keyboards & bass) and lead singer and guitarist Sam Robson doing themselves proud.
London-based The Red Light Company stepped up to the plate admirably to fill the other support slot after Late of the Pier pulled out - reportedly stranded in Paris.
Everyone who was there was treated to a storming night's music.
The historic venue's legend is re-born.
Set list:
Spanish Metal
Never Miss A Beat
Like It Too Much
Everyday I Love You Less And Less
Can't Say What I Mean
You Want History
Modern Way
You Can Have It All
Ruby
Half The Truth
Good Days Bad Days
Everything Is Average Nowadays
Take My Temperature
Oh My God
Encore:
The Angry Mob
I Predict A Riot
Posted: Thursday, October 09, 2008
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