Kasabian have just dropped a brand new release ‘ALYGATYR’, amidst a tour in which guitarist and songwriter, Serge Pizzorno has taken over as the band’s frontman. How’s that working out for them?

Picture report from Nottingham

by John Springett of Spring Image Photography www.springimages.co.uk

As if 2020 wasn't traumatic enough, Leicester's indie icons had left a question mark hanging over their future when pre-pandemic front man, Tom Meighan, left under a dark cloud of consequences.

The band carrying on, after that was a decision that split opinion in the music world and their fan base.

Autumn 2021’s return was always going to be a make or break moment.

As these UK tour dates were sold out in advance, on the strength of their songs and past achievements, half the battle was won.

The real proof (and future) would be in the audience reaction to the new Kasabian’s live performance.

Yes, a huge band who obviously have so many fans, are already ahead of the game but music is a funny old business and nothing can be taken for granted.

Although Serge had previously proved capable of going “solo” when the band took some time out, that this would translate to the very real skill of fronting a rock band.

Additionally, Kasabian needed to live up to the “saving guitar music” claims and “where are the new rock n roll bands?” challenges that some of the biggest artists were making - and being reported on (mostly for clickbait) - over the last couple of years in what’s left of the national music press.

In short, there was a lot to live up to.

With all the above, and more, it wasn’t a given that Kasabian would walk back on stage and be greeted, again, with the affection and respect that audiences reserve for a favourite band.

Also, it’s 2021.

After a year and a half lost of humanity’s collective life lost to the upheaval and tragedy of the pandemic - including the shenanigans required to attend a live music show safely - music fans want actual bangs for their bucks.

20th October, Nottingham.

Kasabian are back on home county (East Midlands) turf for the Rock City show

Relief.

By all accounts (mates, live reviews, social media feedback) so far, word is that the gig not only went with a bang, but that Serge is such a stage-craft honed, genuine front man, that the crowd were chanting his name during their set.

Shout-along-with-joy mosh pits mirrored the musicality of the band and adrenaline rush in the air.

It's true to say that Kasabian fans are more than on side.

Up and down the country, fans of this band are witnessing something special rising like a phoenix.

These reactions had been hard earned, not taken for granted. Some “Team Tom Meighan” fans refused to come to these dates.

Maybe they missed something essential?

The thanks from the stage to this evening’s audience acknowledged the amount of appreciation felt for their support.

Maybe the uncertainty before facing their audience added to the flame of their performance but the Kasabian of this post lockdown world are obviously a new favourite band (with a six album back story!) who are literally on, ahem, 'Fire'.

As the band tweeted the day after the show:

“Nottingham, still trying to get our heads around last night, WOW!!!!!! Absolute scenes”.

Fast forward a week.

Alongside it’s first live performance (at the home town show in Leicester on day of release, October 27th) the new single, ‘ALYGATYR’ is #1 on Spotify’s Transistor playlist. https://kasabian.lnk.to/transistor

2021

Q: Are Kasabian having an awesome autumn?

A: Yup, looks like it.

…and to answer those “where are the guitar bands” questions, Kasabian have done the right thing at the right time by taking The Skinner Brothers on the road as special guests.

TheZineUK is a documentary of music movement threads weaving a tapestry.

Our ace, Louise Schofield, recently interviewed Zach of The Skinner Brothers before their Isle Of Wight Festival show for This Feeling.

As @TheSkinnerBros tweeted (rightly) in September:

“We will be joining @KasabianHQ as main support for their entire UK tour! This is massive”

Really is. A month later they are tweeting:

“Shoutout all the new followers coming in from the @KasabianHQ tour”

Not only that, the true story of Katie Owen (a Kasabian fan from school!) being the tour DJ is what rock n roll dreams are made of.

Katie came into the cast n crew of our situationist story in 2017, again, courtesy of This Feeling and being a fab DJ!)

Making a party, Katie also DJ’d TheZineUK’s first #MusicPeopleParty that December (and presented her first filmed interview in January 2018, for us).

It’s just heart warming to see so many people coming along in these hard-as-f days.

Of course, there are people who doubt that the newer wave of guitar music artists and allies are creating a #FertileEnvironment in a hostile environment - and each to their own opinion - but look and listen again, friends. Especially on the grass roots music venue circuit being culled.

When bands like Kasabian use their platform to give the up and comers on this rising star circuit, extra support, the musical eco system of alternative rock gets a boost just when we all need it. Even the biggest bands started somewhere and got some help.

2022

Kasabian are playing the Neighbourhood Weekender in May, supporting Liam Gallagher at Knebworth Park in June (with Michael Kiwanuka, Fat White Family and Goat Girl) then headlining the Isle Of Wight Festival next autumn.

Come back and beyond.

Seeya later ALYGATYR!

https://www.kasabian.co.uk/

All images by kind permission John Springett (c) https://www.springimages.co.uk/

Extra news/words Caffy St Luce/Events Dept.

Thank you Stasi at MBC PR for the photo pass.