Kasabian at the O2 Arena

While most of the established rock bands see a slow decline, Kasabian seem to be going in the opposite direction. Musically, Serge Pizzorno and Tom Meighan challenge their roots and style constantly; what surprises is the great coherence with which they expand their horizons.

The Leicester four-piece kick off the first of two packed shows at the O2 Arena with Ill Ray (The King), the opener of For Crying Out Loud. This Beastie Boys-like track is just an appetiser for the strobe-heavy Bumblebeee and Eez-eh. The concert feels like a greatest hits, the set mixing their most acclaimed songs with just half of those from the new album. “This is our best tour, six dates so far, and it’s been insane every night, unbelievable,” says Pizzorno, songwriter, lead guitarist and occasional singer for the band, “and I want to dedicate this tune to the people of London.” They play British Legion, the first of only two (the other being Put Your Life on It) mellow moments of the evening.

Club Foot sets the arena on fire, but the real punch comes with Re-Wired: Meighan masterfully delivers the groovy vocals as the song generates a massive moshpit in the middle of the floor. For a moment the O2 turns into a disco club on Treat, with Pizzorno dancing all over the stage, then giving hi-fives to the front-row fans as he obsessively sings “everybody knows I work it, work it like a treat”.

“London, you are f***ing Empire,” screams Meighan into the microphone before launching into a roaring rendition of Empire. It’s the punk Bless This Acid House, though, one of the absolute highlights of tonight’s show, the huge chorus calling for a frenzied response. LSF, performed with the DMU Gospel Choir, ends the set on a high note. Kasabian come back for a boisterous, hit-packed encore: Comeback Kid, Vlad the Impaler and finally Fire close one of the best concerts the North Greenwich venue has seen this year.

 Filippo L’Astorina, the Editor
Photos: Filippo L’Astorina

For further information and future events visit visit Kasabian’s website here.

Watch the video for God Bless This Acid House here: