August 23, 2008 16:20

Serj Tankian covers Abba at Leeds Festival

System Of A Down vocalist also criticises George W Bush onstage

Serj Tankian mashed up his track 'Money' with ABBA's 'Money, Money, Money' during his performance on the Main Stage at Leeds Festival this afternoon (August 23).

Coming onstage to the sounds of explosion and gunfire, Tankian, dressed in a white jacket and battered white top hat, launched straight into 'Empty Walls', the first track, and first single, from his debut album.

Almost the entirety of the aforementioned LP 'Elect The Dead' was performed during the set, including crowd favourites 'The Sky Is Over' and 'Feed Us'.

Tankian was joined by an opera singer, 'Kitty', from Wolverhampton, who provided theatrical harmonies on 'Lie Lie Lie'.

Spotting Israeli and Lebanese flags in the audience, the System Of A Down vocalist made the two bearers move together, leading to applause from the crowd.

Referring to the election of George W Bush, Tankian later asked the audience to repeat "we deem never to let ourselves become part of the unthinking majority", before closing with 'The Unthinking Majority'.

Serj Tankian played:

'Empty Walls'
'Feed Us'
'Lie Lie Lie'
'Saving Us'
'Baby'
'The Sky Is Over'
'Money Money Money'/'Money'
'Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition'
'Honking Antelope'
'Elect The Dead'
'The Unthinking Majority'

Serj Tankian talks about playing Ping Pong with Rage Against The Machine and the presidential campaign at Leeds Festival 2008 below.

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