February 14, 2007 0:36

Kasabian return to UK with intimate gig

The Enemy and Hours also play Shockwaves NME Awards show

Photo Gallery: Kasabian

Kasabian made their return to the UK tonight (February 13) playing a Shockwaves NME Awards Show in London.

The gig at the Hammersmith Palais was the band’s first in Britain since their arena tour before Christmas, and followed a series of shows in New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

Clearly thrilled to be home frontman Tom Meighan opened the band’s set declaring “It’s good to be back in England, you fuckers”, although the band didn’t make the immediate impact they were hoping for.

Having blasted off with ’Shoot The Runner’ a technical problem meant the venue’s main speakers cut out for most of the song.

However the band made the best of it relying on their own amps and monitor speakers while the crowd did the band proud, loudly singing along so early in the set.

With the sound sorted just as the band reached the end of the song, Kasabian didn’t look back, and enjoyed playing their first intimate show in a while.

“It’s good to be close,” explained Meighan who last played in the capital at the mammoth Earl’s Court in December. “It’s good to be able to see you.”

The band, who are set to play the Shockwaves NME Awards ceremony itself at the same venue on March 1, then ran through a selection of songs from their two albums, climaxing – as always – with another loud sing-a-long for ’LSF’.

Kasabian played

’Shoot The Runner’
‘Reason Is Treason’
‘Sun/Rise/Light/ Flies’
‘Cutt Off’
‘By My Side’
‘Me Plus One’
‘Empire’
‘Seek And Destroy’
‘Processed Beats’
‘The Last Trip’
‘The Doberman’
‘Apnoea’
‘Club Foot’
‘Stuntman’
‘LSF’

Earlier the packed crowd had witnessed performances from The Hours and The Enemy,

Opening act The Hours paid tribute to the historic club as frontman Antony Genn described its forthcoming demolition as a huge blow for music.

"They're closing this place down. It's a fucking tragedy. Why? Because of this mate," he told the audience before playing the opening chords to The Clash's 'White Man In Hammersmith Palais'.

The Enemy meanwhile celebrated the release of their new single ’It’s Not Ok’ this week with an energetic that showcased their forthcoming debut album including the likes of ’40 Days And 40 Nights’, ’Pressure’ and of course the single which was released yesterday (February 12).

The Shockwaves NME Awards Shows continue across London for the next three weeks. Stay tuned to NME.COM for reports and reviews from all this year’s gigs.