No other band from Great Britain has experienced such an amazing growing popularity than Kasabian. Their singles from their debut album placed both in the top twenty and top ten which is not bad at all for a new band. The only thing that remains is whether or not they can live up to their record success on stage.

When I arrived at the Melkweg, I have to say I was unpleasantly surprised by the fact that they sold out the Max (the bigger one of the two halls) and there was a small line of people already wanting to get in. Since I had’t gotten tickets, things were looking dark. But luckily I was still able to get tickets and get in.

So when it started, they walked relaxed and calmly onto the stage and started with the psychedelic song “Identification”. Vocalist Tom Meighan was doing this thing in the spotlights, guitarist Sergio Pizzorno was looking cool wearing enormous sunglasses, everybody else was a bit hidden away but looking splendid, and something told me that this it was going to be a great show.

The whole debut album was played, except for “U Boat”, and they finished with a b-side song called “Night Workers”. The crowd got a bit loose after 2 or 3 songs, but they stuck to nodding their heads to the music, though most of the British people (and there were a lot of them) present were already going out of their minds.

The songs “L.S.F” (which stands for Lost Souls Forever), “Club Foot”, and of course their hit “Processed Beats” got the most response from everyone. The crowd’s arms went up in the air, lyrics were repeated, and it was clear that this band had a long and successful road ahead of them. They sound rockier than they do on their record and that’s all for the better. Their triphop-like bass, the laidback yet hip hoppy beats, and their hypnotic electronics combined with sneering vocals prove just how this sort of music really gets to you. Well it does to me anyway.

Their music is danceable, psychedelic guitar-driven, and would fit perfectly in a nightclub as well as on the main stage of a big festival. Compare it with the Stone Roses and other bands with that recognizable ‘Manchestersound’. Maybe it’s like the Rapture, only better.

Kasabian is well on their way to success everywhere and I don’t think that they’ll play in this type of venue anytime soon. Their U.K. summer tour kind of gives it away because they will be playing at venues with room for 3500 up to 10000 people. So the 1000 people here tonight can consider themselves lucky to have seen them in such a small crowd. They definitely deserve your attention and I’ll guarantee that you’ll love them.

Review by: Laura