Never backward in proclaiming their own worth, it's safe to say that Kasabian have always had an aura about them. From their early days as vaguely trip-hop based act Saracuse, they always envisioned that one day they would bring the world to their hometown and on Saturday 21st June 2014, they did. A decade on from the release of their eponymous debut album and on the back of their fourth UK number one album ('48:13'), the Leicester-based quartet have achieved most of their musical ambitions but that day was one they will never forget.
In interviews before the show, Sergio Pizzorno had eluded to the fact that the day could've been their "Spike Island" or "Knebworth". Yes, not on the same scale, but nevertheless that's how it felt. The scene was set early as the queues started forming around Victoria Park from late morning. The feeling in the air was so palpable, you could cut the excitement with a knife. As a site, Victoria Park has not hosted many events, the last one on this scale being Radio 1's "One Big Weekend", but it's well designed and surprisingly easy to navigate.
The warm up acts were not what you would expect from a self-picked Kasabian show. The three youthful looking members of Aussie based indie-dance upstarts Jagwar Ma strode out on stage like they belonged, all donning "Bucket Hats" and baggy clothing reminiscent of early Roses (Stone) fans, and preceded into a set of tunes that got the crowd limbered up, without anyone over exerting themselves. Next up was Rudimental, who would not have been the fans' choice to support that is for sure. But, as the duo jumped from hit to hit, it was clear to see why they were there. The entire crowd, (of those under 30), were bouncing along knowing every word and, all in all, they got the place pumped.
Continue reading: Kasabian - Leicester July 2014 Live Review
