Kaiser Chiefs at Kirkstall Abbey, Review

KIRKSTALL Abbey - what better place to coronate the Chiefs in front of their tribe of adoring followers.

Any fears this would be a promo gig for the new album were quickly quashed as they tore through openers ‘Everyday I Love You Less And Less’ and ‘Never Miss A Beat.'

"Saturday night was about one thing and one thing only: the triumphant return of The Kaiser Chiefs."

It was a well-judged set - a riotous run-through of the band’s best bits, crowd favourites and two of the new tracks thrown in for good measure.

Unlike their previous homecoming gig at Elland Road, this signified a beginning, not an end – the beginning of The Kaiser Chiefs Mk II - a revitalised, reinvigorated bunch typified in all their glory by their irrepressible frontman. Whether darting from side to side or climbing the Abbey ruins, this was the barber-shopped, weight-lost Ricky Wilson of old. 

‘Ruby’, ‘I Predict A Riot’, and ‘Angry Mob’ were all in evidence as well as the opening track and best song on the new album, ‘Little Shocks’; although the new album marks a different sound direction for the band the songs are just as good and fit seamlessly alongside favourites such as ‘Good Days, Bad Days’ and the traditional gig-closer ‘Oh My God.’

Wether putting on a second night after selling out the first detracts from the uniqueness of this gig is debateable – what isn’t up for debate is the fact that the band are back and sounding better than ever.

This gig wasn’t about Chris Moyles, the long beer queue or the support act so bad I can’t recall their name; Saturday night was about one thing and one thing only: the triumphant return of The Kaiser Chiefs. Mission accomplished.