Kasabian,The Duke Spirit,El Presidente Live Review @ Apollo (Manchester) - 24 Apr 2005

Live Review

The hottest day of summer so far, also lead to one of the hottest nights, in more ways than one, as one of planet music's hottest bands Kasabian geared up to play their 2nd of 3 dates in the (so called) rainy city of Manchester.

First up though were Glaswegian disco funksters El Presidente, with a name that sounds like they have come straight from the sweltering Costa del Sol, and really heating up the place with debut single and downright catchy Rocket, with rousing guitars and infectious sing along chorus.

The rustic theatre venue of Manchester Apollo began to heat up even more The Duke Spirit took to the stage, fronted by the hotly dressed and raw vocalist Liela Moss, and proved to have gained quite a following as the area stage front filled up nicely.

Opening with the sharp Love Is An Unfamiliar Name, the raw vocals and passionate performance became evident as Liela played with her mic stand teasingly and strutted around her spot energetically. The songstress was not the only one to strut her stuff, her band gave their all captivating us with their musicianship, and creating an atmosphere with The Kills like guitar duals for previous singles Lion Rip and Roll Spirit Roll. The enthusiasm was running high with some confident swaggering, tambourine smashes and a memorable rendition of and the moving Dark Is Light Enough.

Expectancy grew, and the crowd erupted in delight as Kasabian strutted on stage in a manner not unknown to Manchester, as the birthplace of baggy and the Madchester scene, which the Leicester boys strongly demonstrate. Wild opener Reason is Treason takes us back to our roots instantly and strikes a soft spot with the Manchester audience who were well warmed up and growing ever more so. The powerful album favourite L.S.F sparked the fuse and really allowed the fireworks to explode, but before we got too familiar, a promising outlook at the new album came with newbie The Stuntman, unmistakably Kasabian and impossible to keep rooted to the spot to.

It was back to the party, not that it ended, as a spectacular light show topped the subtle Kasabian logos that backed the stage screen. Heavy riffs, hypnotic samples and a booming Apollo could only mean one thing, Cutt Off, and a crunching rendition echoed some impressive synths and chanting from lead man Tom around the venue.

If that appeared anthemic, it was nothing to the explosion that was electric closer and latest single Club Foot, which really got the rafters shaking, and dancing. Think what you like, Kasabian certainly know how to merge the boundaries of rock and dance, and they really know how to bring their music to life and get a place going.

Katherine Tomlinson