Kasabian in Birmingham review: Indie rockers bring energetic and passionate performance to Utilita Arena

Leicester indie rock band Kasabian brought new tracks from their latest album ‘Alchemist’s Euphoria’ to Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on Friday night. In a pulsating performance the band, now fronted by former lead guitarist Sergio Pizzorno, played a set sprinkled with tracks from across their discography.

Serg burst onto stage in a coat fitting of the cold Birmingham night, and Kasabian kicked things off with ‘Rocket fuel’ from their latest album. For older fans, next up was ‘Club Foot’, a record up there with one of the most well known of the Leicester bands discography. Ill Ray (The King  brought a track from a third album into play at the NIA and the place was bouncing

Serg invited Birmingham to a party, before bringing the party with him with ‘Underdog’ which was performed with the brute force we know and love Kasabian for. ‘You’re in love with a psycho’ had its own rendition which was then immediately followed by a remix with club classic ‘One more time’ before we were given another dip into the ‘Alchemist’s Euphoria’ with ‘Strictly Old School’.

Serg wanted a party this Friday night in Birmingham, and a party he was both giving and getting. For ‘Shoot the Runner’ Serg fronted up with guitar in hand and his solos were like a lace around what has become an iconic Kasabian track, tying together its familiarity and energy.

In this ‘bit of the old, bit of the new’ set list, Kasabian brought a sprinkling of all sorts for the brum fans. In the outro to ‘work it like a treat’ Serg donned some of the biggest foam hands I’ve ever seen, before getting to business and wrapping up the song- but not before he went for a wander into the onlooking crowd.

‘Wasting Away’ was followed by a reminder from Serg that Kasabian hadn’t stopped off in Birmingham “for tea and biscuits” as the temperature and vibe was turned right up.

The encore was three songs that, for me anyway, was about as good as it gets. ‘God Bless This Acid House’ from the bands 2017 album ‘For Crying Out Loud’ introduced Kasabian back to the stage.

‘LSF’ and ‘Fire’ rounded off a thrilling and energetic show, and with that left Kasabian with just one more gig on the UK and Ireland tour.

The band came together and bowed to the Birmingham crowd which was only just starting to filter out in numbers. Serg allowed himself a minute or two to sit down on stage and take in the atmosphere- it’s easy to see that despite him being used to playing in front of large crowds for years, he still can get swept up in the occasion (at least if he allows himself to’

The thousands flooding back out onto the streets of Birmingham were not disappointed and were given the best possible start to the weekend- the icy cold night did little to dampen the spirits in the aftermath of the show. Kasabian’s first visit to Birmingham since changing their lineup was a resounding success. No one really knows what direction the band will now go in, but whichever road they go down - you can be sure it’ll be one hell of a ride.