Kasabian at the Royal Albert Hall for the Teenage Cancer Trust

Despite being north of 40, Kasabian frontman Serge Pizzorno bounces around the stage with infectious energy that causes the audience to gyrate from the start. Rocking an avant-garde patchwork suit, the singer dances and struts across the space, climbs into the audience and boogies down the aisles during his rendition of Daft Punk’s One More Time (falling onto a woman in the audience in the process!).

Kasabian headline Saturday night’s concert on behalf of Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity that offers unique care and support for young people diagnosed with cancer. The organisation funds nurses, youth workers and specialist hospital wards in the NHS so that there is access to dedicated support and facilities for the journey from diagnosis to remission, with a focus on independence, community and empowerment through an incredibly difficult experience. The band are part of a week-long music event held at the historic Royal Albert Hall to raise money and spread awareness for the trust so that they can continue their important work.

The production design for the night features laser beams, binary code and Ancient Greek symbols displayed on the screen at the back of the stage, as well as engaging light displays. The venue is washed in beautiful, hazy blue hues during the ethereal intro to SCRIPTVRE, before being kickstarted into the loud, flashy and attitude-fuelled remainder of the number. An effervescent, green laser beam display accompanies the soft trance intro to Cutt Off as Pizzorno dances next to a pole in the stalls, pumping his fist vehemently while alien lights play across the crowd and strange symbols create a mesmerising, psychedelic effect.

A lot of Kasabian’s work seems to merge when performed live – the sounds are fairly similar, to the point that the set almost feels like one continuous song, rather than 21 hits. This is a high-energy performance, from Rocket Fuel, with it’s uplifting beats and rainbow flashes, right to crowd-pleasing encore LSF, which features dynamic light strands and a lot of heartfelt ahhh-ahhh-ahhh-ahhs from the audience. The show closes with a catchy, memorable performance of the band’s signature song, Fire, which leaves everyone wanting more.

Kasabian’s lyrics aren’t always easy to follow, and the beats can be a bit interchangeable, but this doesn’t feel like a bad thing when you’re in the crowd: Pizzorno’s energy and the exceptional lighting create a euphoric feeling of celebration. It’s less about the particular song or sound and more about the overall good vibes that take the audience gleefully into the night.

Sophia Moss
Photos: Naomi Dryden Smith

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

Watch the video for the single Cutt Off here: