REVIEW: Kaiser Chiefs at Westonbirt

SO, The Kaiser Chiefs at Westonbirt Arboretum. Sounds like an appealing prospect, doesn’t it?

Despite the threat of rain (avoided) and the unknown quality of the food (delicious) and the thought of the portaloos (not required), and the dodgy parking (fine coming in, nightmare going out) I was looking forward to this one.

My first thought when Ricky Wilson strutted to the front of the stage and shouted ‘We are the Kaiser Chiefs’ and then, slightly annoyed, ‘WE ARE THE KAISER CHIEFS!’ was that the extra bit of fame and recognisability from appearing on The Voice this year had gone to his head.

My second thought when they launched into a track from their current album to open their set (strange choice) was that the support act had been both louder and bouncier.

Next up though, was a good old familiar – Every Day I Love You Less And Less – and we were all jumping.

It did seem to me as if Ricky had trouble keeping the crowd’s attention, but, to be fair to him, it was possibly not really a Kaiser Chief crowd – more of a rocking family picnic, grandparents and all.

Highlights, predictably, were ‘I Predict A Riot’ and number 1 hit ‘Ruby’. We all sang along to ‘The Angry Mob’ (is that significant?), and the golden ticker tape fired into the air above the crowds for ‘Parachute’ was a nice touch.

We roused ourselves for the thumping finale of ‘Oh My God’, and left feeling somewhat entertained.

Review by Rene Hunt