Named after Leeds United Football Club's cult hero and club captain Lucas Radbe's old South African club, the KAISER CHIEFS certainly know how to marshal their way through a set, albeit without exceeding expectations. They were the last of the bands tonight to be thrust onto this wonderful stage for the NME-sponsored tour.
Kaiser Chiefs have exploded onto the scene like a bag of lava in a wheelie bin. Loud, excitable and very flashy. Their rise to fame has been nothing short of colossal. Formed barely 2 years ago (from the ashes of their going-nowhere-slowly original band Parva) this group of fellas have grabbed the scene by the reins and ridden the fame highway. Having seen them at the V festival in August, which was an animated day to say the least, I knew I was in for an energetic show.
This 5 piece are dressed like the typical "scenesters" of today, dodgy white school shirts, thin school ties, cheap shiny suits and dodgy converse boots to match. I would have thought that the band could do better than clothing from Mister Byrite.
Ricky Wilson is the lead singer, a very raw, sparky showman. He thunders round the stage like a 1 tonne pneumatic dildo: pink, fleshy and getting all the girls attention. The crowd lap him up. Nick Hodgson is the drummer not missing a trick, Andrew White plays an explosive lead and Simon Rix nails down demon bass guitar respectively. Finally there is Nick "Peanut" Baines playing the keyboard, instantly recognisable now for his pork pie hat- wearing antics. From where I am standing I can see at least another 10 people wearing and doffing the same style hat. Peanut, it seems, is rapidly becoming an anti-style guru for our times.
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In my honest opinion, I don't mind this band, as they will always get the crowd up and dancing. I knew what I was going to get tonight, and by jolly roger me gently I did. JD mate. Job Done!!
But then, they also fail to surprise or exceed. By no means are they legends in the waiting, and this performance was workmanlike and little more. The obvious set pinnacle was "I Predict A Riot" -which had the place bouncing like things on a spring - though a close tie for second came via "Oh My God" (a nice heel stomper) and "Everyday I Love You Less And Less". Wilson managed to crowd surf to the middle of the academy during the latter and climb up onto the scaffold of the sound/control centre, then continued to sing and orchestrate the masses.
It was all rather reminiscent of a scene from the Pied Piper and his rodents. I won't be surprised if the Kaiser Chiefs are still headlining a festival or two next year, wringing the sponge out for all its' worth in the short-term. Ultimately, though, I can't see major longevity here. This was merely a good performance from a good band: No more No less.
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