Kasabian at Finsbury Park

On a delightful summer’s evening, around 50,000 people stood nestled in the grass at Finsbury Park to see Kasabian. It would be remiss not to comment on the general mood – the football shirts ahead of the England-Mexico World Cup match, groups sitting on the lawn taking it all in – suffice to say, spirits ran high.

They were suitably warmed up by a winning combination of rock stalwarts and newcomers (Louis Dunford, Razorlight, The K’s, Miles Kane and SOFY). The band deployed their eight-album discography and nearly three decades of experience, expertly demonstrated by Serge Pizzorno’s cool nonchalance in the face of their largest London show. This provided a sneak preview of their new album, Act III, which releases in September.

Only two singles were played from the upcoming album – Hippie Sunshine and Superpowers. Largely, they stuck to trusted favourites. Kasabian began with Club Foot and ended with LSF (Lost Souls Forever) from their debut. Though lyrically ahistorical, Vlad the Impaler invites listeners to “get loose” and release their inhibitions. Shoot the Runner, Call, and Days Are Forgotten certainly fall within this category. The crowd moved as one, jumping in unison. Underdog was similarly high energy. Punchy and fun, You’re in Love with a Psycho and Italian Horror were greatly enjoyed. The penultimate song, Goodbye Kiss, was very sweet! The request for “everyone sing from the heart” was delivered. Considering that fans had stayed from the late afternoon anticipating Kasabian, little encouragement to cheer, dance or sing was needed.

Kasabian are known for their experimentation, and the performance aimed to showcase this. Empire and Stevie reflected their genre-blending sound. As it was rather synth-heavy and disconcertingly club-like, there was a momentary lull while adjusting to this. However, where the Calvin Harris collaboration Release the Pressure was a certainty, this did serve as something of a bridge. Additionally, the live rendition of Coming Back to Me Good featured a trumpet, enhancing its exuberance. Sampling Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us to introduce Treat was unexpected but interesting, and very well-received.

The gig was as entertaining as one would hope and, as the stage lights illuminated the sea of outstretched hands, glorious in the fading sun. After the whole day of brilliant acts, the crowd seemed excited but physically exhausted. By the time Kasabian came on, energy was waning. Much of the crowd had started to leave before the last song – meaning only the most devoted actually got to enjoy the encore. Nonetheless, it was a suitably zeitgeisty evening captained by Kasabian.