GIG REVIEW: NME Awards Tour - Kasabian, The Enemy & The Hours
- Posted on February 15, 2007 6:01 PM
- 0 comments
In the words of Tom Meighan 'Truly Monumental!' The Kasabian front man well and truly hit the nail on the head when he summed up their incredible NME Tour show at Hammersmith Palais. As the clock ticks down to the end of days for the legendary west London venue, I left with the thought that it could not have seen many better gigs than that it experienced on February 13th 2007. BOLD claims I know, but this was one INCREDIBLE gig!
On paper it had always promised much. Now I LOVE Kasabian, but I think few would argue that right now they are one of the UK's finest live bands. Add to these Coventry's much-hyped teenagers The Enemy and the Jarvis Cocker-endorsed The Hours and you had not one, but three great bands. ON A RAINY TUESDAY! IN FEBRUARY!!! London's nightlife just gets better...
On Stage at 7.30, The Hours kick proceedings off with the venue less than a quarter full. Their recent 'Narcissus Road' debut album has already won them a multitude of praise and on the strength of tonight's performance they could easily become one of this years dark horses with their lyrically aware, emotionally charged, piano-led, Indie Rock. Recent single 'Ali In The Jungle' and the forthcoming 'Back When You Were Good' are the standout tracks.
Accompanied by a venue that has now increased to being two thirds of the way towards capacity, hotly-tipped threesome The Enemy change mood with their aggressive mix of punk-edged, Indie Rock. Coming on like a latter day The Jam, they take the simple formula of drums, guitars and vocals and galvanize it with the stereotypical 'Angry Young Man' attitude that forms the backbone of so many of their contemporary's sound. 'It's Not OK', 'Your Not Alone' and 'Pressure' encapsulate their sound and succeed in body shocking the crowd into life. Whilst rightful comparisons with the Arctic Monkeys have been made, these are no copycats; packing enough of a punch to strongly confirm predictions they will be one of 2007's breakthrough bands.
In a blink of the eye, the venue is now packed and judging by the roar that meets Kasabian the crowd are well and truly hyped. Launching into 'Shoot The Runner' bedlam soon descends and the main floor becomes a frenzied mass of energy. 'Its good to play a venue where the crowd are close... Really f*cking close!' Comments Meighan and he's correct, the crowd are right under the noses of the band and it's great to be a part of it.
It sounds like a well-worn cliché, but Kasabian's music really comes alive on stage. Delivering a furious selection of the finest tracks from their first two superb studio albums, the call and response, sing-a-long faithful are in full attendance tonight and succeed in raising the atmosphere to venue shattering proportions. Unsurprisingly, it is their singles that cause the biggest reactions, with 'Reason Is Treason' 'Me Plus One', 'Empire' and 'Club Foot' the notable highlights, before seasoned set closer 'LSF' brings a phenomenal performance to a typically riotous finale. There are not many encores the crowd start singing before the track begins, this manages to achieve the effect every time they play it.
2006 was an incredible year for the Leicester foursome, on the strength of tonight and with Glastonbury just around the corner, 2007 promises to be even bigger. See you down the front!
Full Kasabian set list:
1. Shoot The Runner
2. Reason Is Treason
3. Sun Rise Light Flies
4. Cutt Off
5. By My Side
6. Me Plus 1
7. Empire
8. Seek & Destroy
9. Processed Beats
10. The Last Trip (In Flight)
11. The Doberman
12. Apnoea
13. Club Foot
14. The Stuntman
15. LSF
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