Kaiser Chiefs, Captain - Brixton Academy, London - Friday 28th April 2006

This was the first gig of Carling Live 24, a gig extravanagza which I attended much more thoroughly last year. But, a wedding the day after put paid to to many legs of the show this time around. Last year, this ran from 7am to 7am, meaning that the start and end were somewhat low key - all the action was in the middle. This time, more TV coverage meant that it was a 7pm to 7pm run, giving the opportunity for 2 big headliners to start and end the show. Kaiser Chiefs were the first of these, back at Brixton, and fresh from their biggest ever UK tour, which stopped in at Alexandra Palace the previous weekend.

It was a celebrity filled day all round, starting in Berlin with sightings of the Bayern Munich team. Arriving back at Heathrow, I saw a leathery-looking Cliff Richard in the baggage hall. Then, on entry to Brixton Academy, I was searched next to Graeme Le Saux. Shorter than expected, I was briefly impressed that he was going in the main door with the normal punters, and standing downstairs. Then I realised that his celebrity status was unlikely to have impressed the promoters to give him too much else!

All the Carling Live 24 gigs this time featured a coupon on the tickets to get a free pint of Carling, and this was quickly used. The free pint was consumed whilst watching Captain - I arrived mid-way through their set, so didn't have the opportunity to get completely involved in what they were doing. But, they sounded good - the last 2 songs in particular (including their single) were very promising indeed. They seem to be supporting lots of bands lately, so I will aim to arrive earlier next time I see them on the bill - I'd definitely like to see a longer set by them.

Kaiser Chiefs seem to have acquired a large set of stage curtains since their last big tours, behind which they set up, come on stage, and start playing Every Day I Love You Less and Less from behind them. The crowd goes mad, the curtains draw back, and the song starts again properly - very good.

Much of the set tonight was familiar, but with some new twists and turns to keep it interesting. Ricky's traditional venture into the crowd was here, but this time, instead of just appearing on the mixing desk, he actually sang the vocal to a whole song from the back of the room - great for those of us that weren't too far forward. In fact, had I been where I was last time I saw the band here, I would have been in the front row for one song - still, can't win them all.

There were also 3 new songs played, all of which sounded like they are from similar beginnings to the debut album. For a first listen, each sounded good, so it seems that there are some more tunes on the way, to build on an excellent first album.

The gig ended early for a Friday night, to be followed by gigs elsewhere by Ian Brown, Goldie Lookin' Chain, Larrikin Love, Dirty Pretty Things, Boy Kill Boy, Ordinary Boys and Razorlight. Next year, I'll try to do the whole 24 hours....