Kasabian
O2 Academy Brixton // London, UK // 2 November 2021
Photos and review by Gili Dailes
For the first time since the departure of frontman Tom Meighan last year, Kasabian are back on the road with a run of intimate shows and a fresh lineup.
Meighan has been gracefully replaced by Serge Pizzorno who took on the lead role in what seems like an effortless and natural move.
Alongside bassist Chris Edwards and drummer Ian Matthews, the new lineup now also includes guitarist Tim Carter.
Serge held the show together like he has always been the lead, and it seemed like the thousands that had come to see Kasabian at the O2 Academy Brixton accepted his frontmanship with open arms.
Playing a relatively short 15-track set, Kasabian played old favourites such as “Shoot The Runner” and “You’re in Love With a Psycho” as well as their latest single “ALYGATYR” which despite causing a slight drop in crowd engagement still kept the energy levels up high.
Kasabian can write a good catchy hook, and so it wasn’t surprising that on several occasions during the night the crowd joined them on big harmonious singalongs.
It was almost easy to forget that up until a few months ago, gigs like this weren’t allowed, as everything felt so normal again. Kasabian somehow managed to take a 90-minute set on a Tuesday night and make it feel like a festival headline show with that electro-rock energy that makes you wish the night would never end (unless you have a night train back to Brighton to catch, of course).
Kasabian ended the generous 3-song encore with “Fire,” leaving their London crowd thirsty for a little bit more of that sweet escapism they’re so good at providing.
