Last night, the 23rd of July, Kasabian hit the South Coast of the UK promoting their new album Happenings. Bournemouth to be precise at the O2 Academy in Boscombe. A venue steeped in history, opening in 1895 as The Grand Pavillion Theatre. During the 60s and early 70s, it was a music venue, hosting acts like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, The Faces and David Bowie so Kasabian are in good company. In 1982 after a few name changes it became the Academy Nightclub. The Academy had one of the first water-cooled lasers and the in the UK. Rave culture in the 1990s welcomed Fantasia, Wild Turkey and Parhelion. In 1997 the venue was changed to be called the Opera House and Slinky was launched. In the early 2000s Slinky became known as one of the best club nights in the country. A great seeting for this night with Kasabian you’ll agree, at least for those of us who have frequented regularly since the 90s.
Support came from Masterpiece, a band I saw and enjoyed last year in a support slot for Bilk in Southampton. Slightly different lineup from last time but the music was as good, if not better. That year certainly shows growth. Only a couplke of songs in and he had the full force of the Academy crowd engaging and joingin in with supporting vocals, no easy feet!
The stage cleared it was time for the main event. The first time I have seen Kasabian since the lineup change so was looking forward to see Kasabian 2.0. As you can see in the setlist they came out to Call to an obvious ruptures applause. Confidence, Swagger and erupted into a bouncing chanting singing onstage character that did not relent for an hoour and twenty minutes.
Thats how long it took to smash through the setlist. An hour for the main body then encore and im not sure that Serj took a breath in all that time, it was relentless much tot he audiences pleasure. Id like to pick out a standout track but it was Kasabian start to finish, the songs are that good you’re just elated at each track that comes next. And come they did. Is it the same band as before, yes, was it as good, definitely!
- Call (Extended intro)
- Club Foot
- Ill Ray (The King)
- Underdog
- Shoot the Runner
- Re-Wired
- You’re in Love With a Psycho (Outro of Dee-Lite’s ‘Groove Is In The Heart’ into Coming Back To Me Good)
- Coming Back to Me Good
- Algorithms
- Stevie
- Treat (Beastie Boys’ ‘Intergalactic’ intro / Faithless’ ‘Insomnia’ outro)
- Vlad the Impaler
- Empire
- L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)
- Encore:
- Reason Is Treason
- Bless This Acid House
- Fire
As a long serving Beastie Boys fan i literally bounced when Intergalactic rang out as the intro to ‘Treat’ couldn’t get my phone out fast enough to save the moment and that Faithless Insomnia Outro had the Academy on the richter scale in a way I haven’t seen since the 90s!
It was a night to remember, just glad I was there!
Videos on our TikTok page and Youtube links at the top
