KAISER CHIEFS // BARROWLAND BALLROOM, GLASGOW
CLONING, CLASSICS AND CHAOS - KAISER CHIEFS TAKE THE BARROWLANDS BACK TO 2005
★★★★★ (5/5)
KAISER CHIEFS PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S BARROWLAND BALLROOM
PHOTOCREDIT: PAUL STORR PHOTOGRAPHY
Twenty one years after it first shook the foundations of indie rock, Kaiser Chiefs return to Glasgow’s legendary Barrowland Ballroom to prove that some albums don’t just age - they evolve into icons.
Celebrating the anniversary of “Employment”, tonight the Leeds quintet deliver a masterclass in energy and nostalgia.
The night kicks off with a video reel playing across the screens at the back of the stage - a Jurassic Park style skit explaining that the band still going is made possible by the discovery of "Kaiser DNA" and advanced cloning technology. It is the perfect tongue in cheek setup for a night dedicated to bringing 2005 back to life.
As soon as the band emerge and tear into the opening chords of "Everyday I Love You Less and Less," the sold out room becomes absolute pandemonium.
Playing the album in its original track order, the momentum is relentless and never lets up.
"I Predict a Riot" remains a cultural touchstone, triggering a sea of bouncing fans that make the famous sprung floor earn its keep, while "Caroline, Yes" provides a melodic high point.
The raw energy of "Take My Temperature" feels just as jagged and urgent as it did two decades ago, and by the time they reach the soul shaking "Oh My God," it is clear that “Employment” still holds up to the same standards of excellence today as it did upon its initial release.
With the album celebration set over, the energy doesn’t dip for a second as the band launches in to a "Greatest Hits" encore that kicks off with a cover of The Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop."
From there, it is hit after hit until the finish featuring the massive "Never Miss a Beat" and what is arguably one of the biggest singalongs the Barras has ever heard in "Ruby."
They finally bring the house down with a defiant performance of "The Angry Mob," leaving the audience exhausted but ecstatic.
It is rare for a debut album to retain its punch for over two decades, but the Kaiser Chiefs have managed it. The show is a reminder that while the cloning skit is a joke, the chaotic joy this band brings to the stage is very much the real deal!
REVIEW & PHOTOS BY PAUL STORR PHOTOGRAPHY