New frontman Sergio Pizzorno proved his worth.

When you have as much legend surrounding your name as the Leicester-born band Kasabian, announcing a gig less than a month before its date is safe territory. The packed hall at The O2 Academy in Edinburgh was testament to this. Two days before their new album’s release date, the British rock legends played new and unreleased (at the time) tracks as well as their biggest hits to an adoring audience. 

The evening began with a DJ set from Scotland’s own Dan South. With a deck table stocked with Tennent’s, there was no doubt where he was from. He released his first single RISE earlier this year. Tonight, he played hits like Dancer, Idles’ collaboration with LCD Soundsystem. While he played on the quieter side the crowd were riled up with ease as they sang along to his carefully selected hits. He left the stage with a bow to lively applause.

And it was time, the lights dimmed and excited shouts of “Sergio, Sergio” filled the room. Peggy March’s 60’s hit I Will Follow Him pooled out from the speakers as the band took to the stage and the ring of a telephone was heard. This, of course, led into new track Call. 

From how the crowd sang along to the electro track, it was impossible to tell that it had only come out five months ago. Any feeling of this being an album release show was immediately squashed as classics Club Foot and III Ray (The King) were next on the bill. The room was alive. Eager fans down the front leapt so high that it seemed they might crash over the barrier at any given moment. 

Watching Serge on stage, it’s hard to think there ever was a time when he hadn’t led the band. He is a natural frontman and has total command over the crowd throughout the performance. Dedicating Underdog to Edinburgh he spoke to the crowd, “This is for you and your beautiful city”. Phones were raised to record the 2009 track that now has all that more meaning.  

Tops are off in the crowd as mosh pit after mosh pit breaks out near the front. Some fans chose a clearer view over crashing into one another and took turns on each others’ shoulders. When Empire begins we are all back under Serge’s command again. He encourages the room to crouch down while he does the same before releasing us as the beat drops.

After a rowdy rendition of L.S.F., the band left the stage. The crowd knew what they wanted though and were straight into cries of “No Scotland, no party” which led onto a repetition of the finishing “Ahh, ah, ah, a a a aah, ah” from L.S.F.. 

The message was received and Chris Edwards, Ian Matthews, Sergio Pizzorno and Tim Carter obliged, running back onto stage for an encore. 

God Bless This Acid House ended with the band clapping in appreciation of the audience. Then, without further ado, the marching drum beat of Fire enveloped the room. The noise that came from the audience upon its beginning was almost tribal and it didn’t let up for one second throughout the tracks changes.

It’s impossible not to have a good time at a Kasabian show. Their fans energy level — whether old or young — is absolutely incredible. The four-piece will be back in Scotland this November on their headline tour. Stopping in Manchester and London too, it is sure to be one for the history books and the much, much larger venue of Glasgow’s OVO Hydro will ensure no fans miss out.

All photos by Isla Kerr.

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