Kasabian - Milan Alcatraz 18th Feb 2010.
After supporting Oasis in a sell out summer tour last year, as well as headlining the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury, Kasabian have earned themselves stadium status. This makes things difficult for a fan to remain calm and give a rational written recollection of a gig when in the UK the prospect of seeing them without the company of 30 000 other sweaty fans becomes ever more remote. The Alcatraz is an impressive and big-ish venue near the centre of Milan, it resembled a more stylish Cardiff International Arena or 02 Academy.
When there is no support bands at a gig, you’re not sure if you’re excited or disappointed, its the kind of rare, confusing and elated feeling you get when you bite into a Kit Kat to find its all chocolate and no biscuit. It did leave a lot of time for waiting around, drinking beer out of plastic cups, and watching the happy hardcore cling to the bar for dear life. The multiplying crowd eagerly gazed at the roadies as they wallow in their on-stage banter and guitar groping. The slightly early arrival allowed for a pretty mint almost-front-row position which would have to have been camped out for 24 hours at Glasto, so this measly 1 hour 40 minutes, would be certainly be worth it.
As the faint rumble of Led Zepplin 3 that was barely oozing out of the speakers came to a grinding mid-solo halt it was clear that the waiting was over. The lights dimmed, drummer took to his throne and mysterious tour guitarist Jay Mehler donning dark glasses set up camp in front me. Then on strutted guitarist and vocalist Sergio Pizzorno, while hired keyboard player got in position for his role in this musical spectacle. Then the silhouette of charismatic showmanship that is lead singer Tom Meighan emerged mid stage, dipped his head and flew out his arms to the enticing sound of the ‘Underdog’ intro mixed with the roaring applaud from the suddenly animated crowd.
Throughout the exuberant performance I was captivated by the humble cheeky grins from a band who seemed genuinely beaming to be playing in Milan, in front of a crowd that knew every line and sang along from the word go. There was no feeling of Brits-abroad in the calm, collected crowd with not one high tempered face in sight. Perhaps lacking that welcoming sense of unpleasantness to match a UK crowd. The set would have pleased an avid fan and lover of Kasabian’s debut self titled album with highlights being ‘Club Foot’ and ‘Processed Beats’. ‘Vlad the Impaler’ and ‘Where Did All the Love Go’ stood out from the recent album along with ‘Shoot The Runner’ from the 2006 release Empire.
When the band returned to the stage after the encore, it was clear what was next on the set list and not a word was said before the evocative, and stomach turning intro to “Fire”.I remembered of the occult hold Kasabian had over Glastonbury 2009 with the hasty release of this single just before the festival. The set finished with the classic, epic, and distinctive Kasabian track, ‘L.S.F.’ Then, a wave of the Italian flag by Sergie before it flew into the crowd, and off they went.
To see this band, in this situation gave this night the memorable moment factor, and knowing that people had travelled from all over Europe, like myself to be there made it an extra special show. The Alcatraz was packed, but the gig seemed to show a Kasabian stripped bare of hype, glitz and celebrity to reveal a fantastic live band who gave a crowd pleasing set enjoyed by all.
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