Kaiser Chiefs - Manchester Evening News Arena - 2nd March 2009
Support: Black Kids

Support act Black Kids’ brand of synth-loaded indie-dance may have its finger firmly on the pulse of what’s hot with the NME crowd, but there’s a distinct lack of charm about tonight’s performance. Frontman Reggie Youngblood sticks rigidly to Gig Banter 101 - declaring his love for the crowd, asking us if we’re excited to be seeing the Kaiser Chiefs, declaring his love for the crowd yet again - which is sure to grate on anyone who attends more than two gigs a year. His enthusiasm and sincerity only serves to make his clichéd banter more cringe-worthy.

The rest of the band are equally enthusiastic, relentlessly clapping their hands in time to the thumping dance beats and urging the audience to do the same. There’s no denying Black Kids’ passion, but the lack of originality makes them a lukewarm support act. Musically, Black Kids pound out electro-tinged indie fair that begins like an Innerpartysystem B-side, and then drifts inexorably into a samey, synth overload. If Black Kids didn’t pause to declare undying love for the audience at the end of every song, then it’d be difficult to tell where one song ended, and another began.

Black Kids are that most frustrating of things in music: a competent band with decent songs, but nothing to get excited about. Thankfully, this isn’t the case with Kaiser Chiefs. Right from the start, tonight feels like something special, as the curtain drops to reveal a stage-wide monitor and walls of revolving spot-lights. Throughout the night, we’re treated to a relentless, perfectly-timed light show that puts that final arena gloss on the Kaiser Chiefs’ performance, and ensures that it doesn’t feel like watching an indie band who got lucky. The Kaiser Chiefs at the M.E.N arena feels like an event.

The great thing about the Kaiser Chiefs, is that frontman Ricky Wilson doesn’t seem to realise he isn’t playing cramped Academy venues anymore. He spends a good portion of their one and a half hour set in the front row, and pours effort into ensuring those nearest the stage are jumping, clapping and singing along. This, in turn, keeps those with rafter-scraping seats caught up in the performance, instead of merely sitting there, quietly enjoying the music. Wilson may only be able to directly affect the front rows, but their excitement is felt in the arena’s distant corners, as people stand up, clap, sing and dance along. Wilson’s enthusiasm is remarkable, especially as, with so many modern-day classics in their arsenal, the Kaiser Chiefs could probably play standing still and still bring the party to the M.E.N. But Wilson is constantly on the go, scaling anything that’ll support his weight, and haring back and forth across the stage to motivate those who are squeezed up against the wings.

Wilson’s antics reach their climax when he takes his leave of the stage, only to re-appear a few moments later, clamouring onto a platform in the middle of the standing area. As those around it duly go mental, he wraps up yet another much-loved, modern indie classic. He then leaps from the platform and performs a heart-stopping dash around the edge of the standing area and back to the stage - a feat which must surely have every security guard in the venue holding their breath.

Musically, the Kaiser Chiefs can’t really go wrong. ‘I Predict a Riot’ goes down like the modern anthem it is; the entire venue instantly leaping to its feet the moment the opening beats kick in. The doomy, chanted ending of ‘The Angry Mob’ inspires a mass clap and sing-along that’s actually pretty frightening in its intensity, while the opening electro of ‘Every Day I Love You Less And Less’ is greeted with a roar of approval. Newbie ‘Never Miss A Beat’ also stands out as a set highlight, and judging by crowd reaction it’s destined to be the Kaiser’s next anthem in waiting.

Tellingly, album-only tracks from new album ‘Off With Their Heads’ receive a muted response. There’s the distinct impression that everyone is politely biding their time until the Kaiser’s unleash their next chart-bothering anthem. Album-only tracks from previous albums fair slightly better, but there’s still a definite dip in enthusiasm every time the Kaisers play a song that didn’t get released as a single. It seems that the majority of people here tonight aren’t die-hard fans, but people who’ve heard ‘I Predict A Riot,’ ‘Oh My God’ and ‘Ruby’ too many times on the radio. But, if you can sell tickets at £35 a pop, on the strength of your singles output, then that’s no bad thing.

Seeing the Kaiser Chiefs live is like running through a list of mainstream indie hits of the past few years. They boast a frontman whose enthusiasm hasn’t been quenched by mainstream success; the understanding that an area show has to go that little bit extra in terms of spectacle; and an enviable back catalogue that almost guarantees everyone will leave with a smile on their face - even if they won’t be playing ‘Off With Their Heads’ on the drive home.


Review by Jessica Thornsbury


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