NME Awards Tour - Brixton Academy

Well then, it’s time for a quick review of last week’s NME Awards tour show.

The first band on are the Kaiser Chiefs and are the only band on the billing that we haven’t seen already, so we turn up early and wait to be impressed. And boy, are we impressed – this band are a lot of fun. Front man Ricky Wilson is everything you need from a front man, playing up for the girls in the front row and jumping around the stage like Damon Albarn used to during Popscene, before he hit middle age. The guitarist (who’s name I can’t find at the moment) looks like he should be playing in a mod band (posibley Ocean Colour Scene) but don’t hold that against him because he rocks. By now you’ll probably have heard the 2 singles, I Predict a Riot and Oh My God, which get the biggest reaction form the crowd. The rest of the set is equally as good and we’re considering going to see the Chiefs when they tour again soon.

And so to Bloc Party. What can I say about them that I’ve not said already. Kele tells us that the band are really nervous but if they are then they don’t show it. Russell hides behind his fringe as usual, but every guitar part is spot on and he attacks his guitar with real ferocity during the solos. The only slight sign they might be nervous is tonight’s performance of Banquet, which seems to speed up as they pile through it. Not that the crowd notice as they mosh away to songs that already sound like classics. I’m gushing (again) so I’ll move on.

The Futureheads have a big following tonight, but for my money they still feel like a school band play Jam covers. The actual cover in the set, Hounds of Love makes an appearance and is once again the best in their repitoire (and so catchy we’re singing it all they way home) but it’s not a patch on the version they’ve recorded as a single.

The Killers are tonight’s big hitters and the only one of the four bands to have been invited to perform at the Brits (there you go, I’ve gone and mentioned them again). So by the time they hit the stage straight from the shindig a little late (and without an award) we’re rammed together at the front. The band give us the full Vegas treatment (see the intro on their website for an idea) complete with sparkly Rhinestone keyboard stand and name in flashing lights at the back of the stage. We get all of the hits and The Academy respond by singing back every word and dancing as best we can, given the lack of elbow room. What else can I tell you? They have a guitarist who looks like a cross between Brian May and erm, Bon Jovi, now that’s a serious rock look.

Tonight’s show is the last of the tour, and so we get a special treat during The Killers encore – all of the other bands come back on to help out on backing vocals and crowd surf. And then all to quickly we get a bow from all of the bands and they’re gone and another great NME tour ends on a high.
- posted by Nigella @ 8:09 PM