Kaiser Chiefs - OVO Hydro 11/11/2022

Hurry Back Soon Guys!!! Glasgow Loves you…

Was it a warm reception on a cold November night…Or was it a Ricky Rotten one that sent us shivering back to our beds? Get the kettle on, settle down with a cuppa and I’ll fill you in on all the gossip!

On arrival at the Hydro, there was a sea of excited fans ranging from 16 to 60. With queues as long as a Boxing Day sale in Primark. Much of the same inside with people waiting to hand coats in, get drinks and buy the merchandise. There was an air of excitement with fans already singing the song in the foyer “Everyday I love you les and less” ringing through the crowd.

As I entered the main space where all the action was happening I was greeted with the amazing home grown Fratellis! I am ashamed to say, I have never seen these guys live, so this was a very pleasant surprise for me. Against an old school “Row Of Garage” complete with graffiti and “No Ball” signs, played this great tune which had your feet tapping instantly. The backing singers were pleasantly natural and didnt op for the choreographed look, they were natural and having fun, as were the band. This was clear to see and filtered out into the crowd. The happiest face on that stage was the drummer, know as “Mince” aka “ Gordon McRory” He was absolutely loving life as he banged the living daylights outta those drums. His abilities are totally under-rated, what a drummer! The absolute heartbeat of that band…As I watched the lead singer “Jon Fratelli” aka “ John Lawler” who incidentally is on Guitar, Keyboards and Piano. Reminded me of a young “Corey Feldman” very talented artist. One of the songs I really liked was “We Need Medicine” This had the crowd going and it was a delight to watch them perform this number. The backing singers were on point with their vocals, great harmonies, great beat and just a busting ball of energy and just what the doctor ordered on the night. Just after this number came an absolute explosion of “Nah, Nah, Nah. Nah, Nah, Nah”the place was absolutely bouncing! A sea of hands reaching for the roof and each person bounced up and down, even the crowds in the wings. It was wonderful to watch and feel, what a buzz they created with that number. They finished with an cover of “Run Around Sue” by “Dion” and my did they do the song justice…The drummer on this one, WOW! The Kaiser Chiefs could not have picked a better warm up crowd. The audience were nice and toasty and ready for more….

After the “Warm Up” the lights suddenly went up. It was a shock for a lot of people and almost like the end of the night at a club! Lots of faces looking around puzzled, lots of eyes screwed up as people tried to focus on who they were standing next to, a bit like a vampire waking up at dawn! This killed the buzz that the Fratellis had worked hard to build…The break was far too long and people became restless and a few were escorted out by security. Sadly I think it could have been avoided and I felt a bit sorry for those punters who had queued to see these guys and were put out minute before they came on stage.

Finally, after a scene change, many bodies bustling around the stage, the room plunged into darkness once again as we awaited the bands appearance on stage! The opening music was like something from the X Files blended nicely with a Pink Floyd visual, consisting of a circular “Peephole” Screen featuring the bands eyes and faces popping up periodically. It was an intense build that was lifting the crowd once again. Cheers, whistle’s and calls of “Yass” from the fans. Then in an unexpected switch, the intro changed to “Stranger Things” musical vibe….Which prompted the crowd to start chanting “ Her We, Here We” (The rest of that chant, I’ll leave for you to peruse on Google in your own time…) Finally the boys were in place at their mics. Except Ricky (Wilson-Vocalist), Ricky was the “New Moon” Poster boy for the evening. He appeared above the stage/screen in front of a huge glowing Full Moon. It was an amazing visual and I got chills as he took his mic and said “Glasgow, We Are The Kaiser Chiefs” And Glasgow knew it!! They absolutely erupted and it felt amazing.

Once again, I couldnt help but notice the drummer. “ Vijay Mistry” He was loving every beat he made, you could see the absolute delight in his every move, filling the room with the necessary bounce us Glaswegiens require as standard at any concert, no matter who is on that stage. And “Vijay” delivered. As “Ricky” sang “ Never Miss A Beat” The drummer and the crowd did not miss one beat either, hands were in the air, heads and bodies bouncing up and down, the place was going mental and we hadnt even begun the band loved the energy in that room and we loved theirs. “Ricky’s” absolutely smashed his vocals and I can honestly say, they are one of the few bands who sound exactly the same live as they do on a studio recording.

There is really no difference…That in itself is a refreshing talent, and incredible talent, and under-rated talent and an absolute joy in the world of the talentless auto tune tallulahs who grace our radio stations each day. Time has frozen on this bands talent. They sound just as they did in 2003. Nothing has changed, the sound incredible, look incredible and I had the pleasure of jumping into their Time Warp for the evening! I have never been to a gig where we get a Mic Drop at the second song! “Ricky” was rocking! As he sang “Modern Way” I watched the crowd, they clapped in unison and it was like the chief rallied his clan…It was actually quite incredible and emotional to watch. I felt that moment rather than heard or saw. I wasn’t alone, one fan in his chequered shirt was in a zone, he was just bouncing and signing his heart out, appearing worry free and as light as a feather, something I have missed. It made me pause for a moment and think of 2020 when the world fell silent, when nights like this, that we took for granted, were gone. In that moment I felt a great wave of gratitude as I watched people smile, sing and forget about everything we as a nation have gone through and continue to go through. The cost of living crisis was not on anyones mind, the woes of life had left the building.

The Kaiser Chiefs were bringing so much joy to many in that magical moment. I even feel emotional as I write this and the memory floods back, It was a special capsule and a realisation that these musicians and the talent they deliver actually are a source of good for public health, a much needed arm in in the mental health sector, yet so undervalued and under-rated during the pandemic. Just then Ricky brought me back to the room when he said “Dancing is a great source for Anxiety” It was like he read my mind, but he must see what I seen every time he steps on that stage, the joy the freedom….Which was the opening line of their new track. As he held his mic stand in the air like the chieftain he is, he called out that he would teach us to dance, the crowd embraced and metaphorically showed him their best moves.

Things switched and a very mellow guitar duet began to fill the room, “Ricky” had joked as a park bench, complete with chipped wood wa brought onto stage….”No Expense Spared” I was in awe as “Andrew White” (Whitey) and “Simon Rix” (bass) It was a very touching moment for everyone in that room…Ricky was so immersed in the crowd at the begging of the song that he missed his que, he laughed as he had to ask the guitarists to repeat the intro loop again. I love it when this happens as it just shows that these guys are loving the crowd as much as the crowd is loving them. It bring a human element to the performance.

All all three guys shared a bench, dressed smartly but casually. Rickey in his double denim combo (which looked amazing) Simon in his bomber jacket (which I want) and Whitey in his suit with no tie (old school, but cool) they were the picture of humility, humble men who haven’t forgotten their humble backgrounds, it was like they were having a catch up. It was a lovely moment and one I won’t spoil, I’ll allow the fans to experience it for themselves.

Ricky began talking about how we had all had “A Northern Holiday” it got a knowing laugh from the crowd. Lets face it, we all carry good memories, some not so good and physical and mental scars from these “Fun Family Trips” That set the tone for the next track “Northern Holidays” The backdrop took us back to the seaside lights, there was vibrant clowns on the stage screens, Ricky was filling the room with his crisp clear vocals and it was a childhood memory clawed out of the memory dungeon that brought a smile to all our faces. After the holiday it wa back at work “Factory Gates” bellowed out, much to the crowds delight. Everyone was bouncing, poor guys with crushed shoulders as the females danced obliviously on the human perches, “Birth Control Balloons” floated around the crowd, not quite like the Pink Floyd Pig, maybe from a distance a distance relative or mangled offspring, none the less, it brought light humour to many and gave room for typical Glaswegian off the cuff humour to be heard.

Ricky had a “Freddie Mercury Moment” He showed off his true vocal abilities when he began a “Hey-oooh” to which the crowd duly obliged in chanting back. Then a “Hey-ahhh” Again the crowd sounding surprisingly great! Then came the crescendo…”Hey-ooooooooooooooooh” which went on for a very long time and he held that note like Freddie did. I was waiting on in anticipation as it came to the audience participation….(see what I did there?) But they surprised me, the crowd held the note for as long a Ricky did and they were outstanding! Glasgow, take a bow for that one….Credit where credit is due!

The house began to rock as “ We do not love you any less” rung out through the arena….I was about to call in help as I was trying to write what I as seeing and my hand felt as though it was about to fall off. The crazy animations on the stage screen had me totally fascinated and at one point, one of them reminded me of the Bo Selecta squirrel. The crowds in the wings were already on their feet, so whe “Ruby” blasted out I actually thought the place was going to erupt into a third world war scene! I genuinely gasped looking at these people, thinking “please dont fall off” (a downside of spectating the entire place and not just the stage). The atmosphere was electric and absolutely outstanding.

The vibe balanced out again with a really lovely track “Hole In My Soul” the stage screens were beautiful and very relevant, the world was turning and on that world were trees, clouds and rainbows, very colourful cartoons and invoked my inner child and the love I have for animation like this. Innocent, bright and full of hope. The screens along with the band ability to merge the creative cosiness that this track brought was just beautifully done, as innocent and touching this song is, its a crowd pleaser that saw the fans bounce along with Ricky, before he took to his chieftains majestic platform to address his clan (the speaker). The tempo dropped to a marching beat with the laughing lyric, which was magical to hear. At that point (being a Dj) I couldnt help but think that this part of the song and the track “Empire” would make a phenomenal mix…(my idea and Im copyrighting it before anyone steals it…Joke) . But seriously, try it! The lead on this track was spine chilling and a goosebump gurgitator! When they sang the “Hahahahahahaha” it sounded like a recording, it was THAT GOOD!

Ricky may have been singing about a hole in his soul, but he and the band filled everyone else soul with that song, filled it with love, joy and kindness…At one point, asking someone in the crowd if they were ok (a drunk person), telling the people around them to look after them, before telling everyone to look out for each other. I liked him a little more after that, as that is such an important message and a true display of his character as a human being. Not enough artists use their platform for these purposes.

Then the Riot began! As predicted…This thumper of a tune blasted out to another arena eruption. And it was the happiest riot I have ever been too…Id be a regular if they were all like this. We then went from riot to an “Angry” song. The chief rollercoaster took off, up and down, round the bends and swooping us all through their musical loops and into a full crowd sway! A pleasure to watch…Until they then utilised into a musical mob, clapping and stomping to the beat, a marching on the spot army! We were not an angry mob, we were a clan of Scots sharing a space of pure pleasure. The Chiefs were chanted back onto stage to perform one last song, “People Know How to Love One Another” and Glasgow certainly know how to love these guys. The message they spread, the joy they bring, the talent they exude and the atmosphere they create are incredibly.

We hope the Chiefs enjoyed their Northern Holiday as much as we enjoyed having them!

Hurry Back Soon Guys!!! Glasgow Loves you…

You can check out a full photo gallery from the night by clicking the link below.

Click here

Words by Laura Docherty, Photography by Stewart Fullerton.

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