It's been a little over a year since Kasabian's last visit to New York. They were in town for the poorly-attended Across The Narrows festival in Staten Island. The set that day (I think they played at 3 in the afternoon) was flawless and really wowed the crowd, who pretty much was just there to see Jet and hear 'Wonderwall' (Oasis closed the show that evening).
Within that time, the band has released their critically maligned follow up to the self-titled debut,
Empire. Last night they showcased 8 tracks from the second release and 5 from the first.
In spite of all the negative buzz around Kasabian (you guys really hate it), I honestly enjoy it immensely. 'Stuntman' and 'Shoot The Runner' have the same swagger as 'Reason Is Treason' and 'LSF', in my book. There are many tracks on
Empire that can easily become as anthemic as
Kasabian's finest tunes.
Webster Hall's floor was literally shaking when the band busted out 'Empire'. By the time they got to 'Club Foot' there was a massive pit (yes, a mosh pit... how 1994!) that had formed with drunken Brits flailing their arms,
screaming along to the 'ahh-ahh-ahh' chorus.
Kasabian closed the show with a tip-top rendition of 'LSF' which the
asshole guy next to me had been begging for all night at the top of his lungs.
Apparently, not everybody shares my sentiments on the show. Oh well. What were your thoughts on the show?
Setlist:
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Plan ahead to catch both acts at:
The deets are as follows:
I still have much love for the Kasabian boys but this latest set of quotes from guitarist/vocalist, Serge Pizzormo, takes egotistical to entirely new levels. Here's a smattering of what he told The Sun this weekend.
Let's hear it for bands beginning with the letter 'K'! Learn more about Oxjam here or via some NME highlights: *The fest will see music fans put on 500 days of continuous music, raising an anticipated £1 mill to help Oxfam fight poverty around the world. Hot Chip, Kaiser Chiefs & Fatboy Slim are some of the 40,000 musicians expected to take part in the events, which will occur throughout October. XFM are to join forces with Oxfam to give £50,000 to young people to help them put on the fest. 200 event organisers will be awarded £2,250 towards the costs of the event.*
Via In The News: *Kasabian will be releasing a surprise EP this summer of new songs written & produced by guitarist/singer Serge Pizzorno. The band has performed at a host of major festivals this year, and will release the limited 10-inch vinyl on 9/3.
Kasabian - Processed Beats (acoustic)
Just in from NME: Noel Gallagher, Kasabian and The Who are among the acts confirmed for this year's series of London shows aimed at raising funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust charity. Oasis star Gallagher plays the first two nights (March 26/27), supported by The View and The Coral respectively. Kasabian play on March 29, while The Who, whose frontman Roger Daltrey organises the event, play on March 31. 
NME just published the following quotes from some of Britrock's heavyweights.
Elton John!
Ok, so this album has gotten a lot negative buzz since its release in the UK earlier this month. That didn't stop the album from debuting at #1 on the charts overseas. Nor did it stop Noel Gallagher from joining the band on stage for a gig this week singing and playing along to crowd fave 'Club Foot' and Empire-closing 'The Doberman' (MP3 below).
Here's track 2 off of Empire (released yesterday in the UK, 9/19 here in the States):
