A couple of weeks ago I went on an enjoyable architectural tour of the new Leeds Arena, see review, and this really whetted my appetite for seeing a live band at Leeds’ latest performance venue.
Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Leonard Cohen have already played there to receptive sell- out audiences and positive reviews but we all know these were just a warm up for local boys The Kaiser Chiefs to properly open the new arena. By happy coincidence the gig fell on the same day as my birthday and what better way to celebrate.
Myself and Mrs B headed to the arena in high expectations of a good night ahead. As we exited the Merrion Centre and saw the Arena all lit up in changing colours there was a definite excitement amongst the crowd and even a “Wow! That looks awesome!” from a young crowd behind us. And I’d have to agree.
The queue to get in was very quick compared to many venues and we quickly found our seats on the top tier. Although fairly high up the view was brilliant, but if you suffer from vertigo I’d recommend trying to get seats lower down!
The main support act for the night was Pulled Apart By Horses (also from Leeds). I already knew a couple of their songs but to be honest it’s not really for me, Mrs B described them as being “a bit too shouty”, but I couldn’t possibly comment! I don’t think the size of the arena helped and possibly they would be more suited to your hot and sweaty smaller venues and a more appreciative crowd for their style of alt rock.
It soon became time for the nights main act and the reason we had all come to the Arena. Ricky Wilson and Co stood posturing on stage behind a back lit curtain and we were ready for business. The curtain dropped and they kicked off in style launching into Na Na Na Na Naa and continued belting out hit after hit all night. All the anthems were performed such as Ruby and I Predict a Riot as well as few new songs from their forthcoming album.
Rick Wilson was his usual energetic self running around the stage and interacting with the crowd fantastically. By the second song he was off the stage and in the front of the crowd. Later on he sung one song from the middle of the crowd in the 1st tier of seating.
The stage and arena was sparsely decorated with just a simple backdrop of the band’s name. This was however made up for by the excellent lighting. At one point a glitter ball was dropped from the middle of the arena and had spotlights shone on it throwing out atmospheric dappled light for a slower number. I also loved how the band were backlit projecting huge shadows of themselves onto the side wall.
After an hour and a half on stage and the obligatory encore they finished the night with Oh My God to rapturous applause. The local lads had shown how it’s done in Yorkshire with Ricky stating as he walked off stage “You can now consider your arena open”!