Kaiser Chiefs - MEN Arena - 30/11/07 by Richard Graham

Originating from Leeds the Kaiser Chiefs first came onto the mainstream UK music scene in 2005 with the release of their debut album Employment. Featuring a blend of pop and punk they sounded like a cross between Oasis and Pulp and quickly dominated the airwaves. Quintessentially English the album featured a string of commercially successful singles such as I predict a Riot and quickly went multi-platinum. Critically acclaimed the band went on to open Philadelphia Live 8 and throughout 2006 became regulars at UK award ceremonies and festivals.

Releasing their sophomore album Yours Truly, Angry Mob in February 2007 the band retained their quirky influences such as Blur and The Smiths and despite not being as critically well received it became their first number one album. Loaded with radio-friendly anthems such as Ruby a full UK arena tour was quickly scheduled and it was on a typically wet and windy night in Manchester that a sell-out crowd had gathered to welcome them to the stage.

Now despite the fact that the KC’s repertoire is packed with anthems this reviewer initially had doubts about whether the group would be able to lift their performance to the level required to fill an arena. It was soon apparent though with an entrance that was a nod to the spectacular War of the Worlds that they were coming out fighting. Opening with the recent single Everything is Average Nowadays the band and in-particular full-on frontman Ricky Wilson whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Wilson, packed with enough energy to power a small country, climbed the speakers and leapt around like a man possessed and at one point knelt on the stage as the worshipping crowd surged towards him. Launching quickly into the second track Everyday I Love You Less and Less the band didn’t let up and the proven formula had the venue bouncing.

Quickly advancing through the set it was soon apparent that the group were feeling confident and only a few songs in they pulled out a heavyweight anthem in the form of Ruby. Wilson, theatrically leading the audience, demanded contribution by holding his microphone out into the crowd for them to sing-a-long. Looking around the venue at the amount of camera phones there is little doubt that this moment will already be on Youtube. Moving on rapidly with the two albums of material at their disposal the band fluctuated between pop and punk and whilst there was no doubt that it was the singles such as Na Na Na Na Naa that kept the masses entertained there was enough substance to avoid any chance of boredom throughout the performance.

As the set drew towards a close Wilson conducted the audience through an electric performance of I Predict A Riot before moving into the centre of the arena to serenade the crowd from on top of the mixing desk. Shaking the hands of the fans he announced ‘We are the Kaiser Chiefs!’ to the audiences approval before heading back to the stage and into the encore with their most recent single ‘The Angry Mob’. After such an excellent performance there was little doubt that the crowd would want them back and the group quickly returned to tangible excitement and the sound of stamping feet.

After playing a couple of songs they then finished with a truly superb version of the fan favourite Oh My God. ‘Show me what you’re made of Manchester’ Wilson shouted before the choruses as the lights lit up the venue - ‘Wooooaaaahhhhhh!!!!’ replied the crowd and even the usually quiet top tiers were on their feet with their hands in the air. ‘Hasta la bye bye!!’ announced the drummer and vocalist Nick Hodgson to the delighted crowd as the group left the stage. Looking around the arena as my ears got used to the sound of ringing it was obvious from the smiles and the chattering of the crowd they were excited about what they had just witnessed.

With a stage show that wouldn’t have been out of place at a U2 gig this band have certainly graduated from the School of Rock with some style and grace. Whilst this reviewer is most certainly not a huge fan of the KC’s there is no doubt that with their live performances they certainly know how to entertain the masses.

All together now – ‘Wooooaaaahhhhhh!!!!’.