Kasabian, Louis Dunford, Razorlight, The K's, Miles Kane, und SOFY

This is the second time I have since Kasabian in the last twelve months. A year ago I watched them in a smallish venue in Amsterdam (Paradiso) and managed to stand right at the front. That was a great gig. The Summer Solstice gig in Leicester was on a whole different level - it was awesome. The band absolutely killed it. The countdown on the back screen added to the anticipation, then as Shiva started up it intensified even more. As soon as Bumblebeee started the crowd went mad. We stood in front of the first barrier so pretty close to the stage but out of the moshpit. It was absolutely rammed in this area but all very good natured. Every song was full-on energy. Everyone was bouncing (some dancing but not much room to do it). The playlist was a brilliant mix of old and new tracks - everyone a killer (and there are other fantastic tracks which could have been included). The white backdrop to the stage ensured that you could easily see the group. The lighting and lasers added to the effect without overkill. The pink and white effect a total contrast to the (unfounded) view that they are just a lad's band. The crowd was a mix of young and old, male/female, and many family groups. At the end it was clear how much it meant to all of the band who constantly thanked the crowd. It was the best gig I have ever attended and I was still buzzing the following day. I highly recommend Kasabian gigs to anyone. It is difficult to pick out a highlight as the whole setlist was brilliantly put together.

I caught Razorlight in person earlier this year and those guys rocked the roof off of the house. Somehow I actually hadn’t listened to much of their work before going, even though they were such a huge hit in the early 2000s.

Lucky me, I got to experience all of their work for the first time live in concert, and I can’t imagine ever wanting to listen to recorded studio performances after seeing how amazing they were in person! Razorlight had the entire crowd captivated from the second they stepped on the stage until the club finally kicked everybody out so we couldn’t beg for yet another encore anymore.

They’ve got the whole package: hypnotic rhythms, driving basslines, and memorable hooks. On top of their immense talent, their passion for music is readily apparent in everything about the way they look and act. I could see any of the four grocery shopping and instantly know that they are rock stars; that’s how incredibly charismatic they are.

Razorlight is kind of on hiatus with some plans for a new album, but they are playing in several festivals this year so make sure to go check them out if you have the opportunity to.

Miles Kane is a performer who embodies a passion for his music, a passion for the art of Rock and Roll, and a passion for live performance to fans.

I first saw Miles when he was supporting Beady Eye on their first tour of Different Gear Still Speeding. It was the Troxy in East London, and going into the gig I knew a bit from the Rascals, liked The Last Shadow Puppets and was reasonably optimistic he would put on a decent show.

He blew everyone there away. It was a unique reaction, I have never seen anything like it before or since. The usual greeting for a support act awaited him when he came on stage. Intrigue and apathy in equal measure. That lasted no more then two songs, and by the time Inhaler dropped (the only song that had Radio 1 airtime behind it) the crowd were raucous, bouncy and staring at each other in amazed disbelief that this gem had gone unearthed.

To finish with a Hey Bulldog cover was genius, and despite an impressive set from Beady Eye, I can guarantee that no one spoke about Liam Gallagher that night. I have seen Miles in various locations, indoor gigs in Brixton and the Troxy, as well as The Olympic Park and twice at Finsbury. He is not fazed by the occasion whether performing to 2000 or 50000, he brings energy, fashion sense, a fantastic voice and an innovative set list, most recently including an interlude with Sympathy For The Devil.

Each time I have seen him, whether as a headliner or support act, whether warming up a small crowd for Liam Gallagher and Andy Bell, or a sunny park full for Kasabian, Stone Roses or his old mates in Arctic Monkeys he brings a swagger, and when I leave I know I am not the only one still bouncing to Miles' set list.

If you are a fan of good old fashioned Rock and Roll, have the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Oasis or Kasabian on your iPod, or remember enjoying the tunes of The Last Shadow Puppets; or perhaps are wondering why music died in 1969 then Miles Kane is definitely a man you should get out and see.

Personal highlights are Come Closer, Give Up, First Of My Kind, Kingcrawler, Inhaler and Taking Over, and on youtube are collaborations with Arctic Monkeys on stage for 505, and with Paul Weller. If Weller is the Mod Father then Miles is his illegitimate Mod Son.