Stop!
Kasabian play big gig in small room
Of all the weeks to be filling in for Gideon on 6 Music, I picked the one in which Kasabian, my favourite band, played live in the Hub. It was a real privilege. Although some people filed down to the fourth floor to witness them play two songs, Empire and Shoot The Runner, there isn't a lot of room in there for an audience, so it felt like they were playing for me! I had to sit on a stool and face them as they belted the songs out. It must be weird to do a radio session, and give it your all in such a tiny venue to such a small handful of technicians and BBC passholders, but that's what they did. Full marks to drummer Ian, whose banging must have upset Radio 3 a floor below. If they complained, we didn't hear them.
The brief interview between songs went well. I went out to meet them before the session and got my fandom out of the way then ("The album's fucking great!" - something as erudite as that). They got nine out ten for the album in the NME this morning and were on a high. If you're reading this before August 29, you can listen again to session and interview (and see the full gallery - photos by Zoe) by finding the show on the Radio Player here.
What a fine bunch of lads they are. I was worried that Serge might be a little serious and po-faced, but he wasn't. I allowed my dignity to slip afterwards and demanded a photo with them. They obliged, obligingly. Here is my souvenir.
When they left to make sure tonight is "big" in honour of the nine-out-of-ten vindication, Serge did that gesture where you tap your heart with your fist and then point. I was genuinely touched. Perhaps I shouldn't have been, but I was. It's just a session for a radio station after all. But I'd say they're big enough now not to have to do 6 Music, with an arena tour booked in December, so good on Kasabian. *Taps heart with fist and points at them*
posted by Andrew Collins @ 4:31 PM
17 Comments
Contact
Andrew at
17 Comments:
Nice to see that someone who gets to mix with musicians all the time can still get a thrill like that. Nice one.
Your expression in the final picture is identical to the one that gets me into trouble in holiday snaps - known in our house as my "Creature Comfort face".
You sound like a giddy schoolboy - glad you still get the buzz. Can't say I understand the appeal of Kasabian myself, though.
Missed the show but I will 'listen again' in a bit. It certainly looks and sounds like you had a good day at work anyway!
I wouldn't have thought that bands gave a shit about NME ratings nowadays, but there you go...
and that, Andrew, is the job for me
Do you have but one set of clothes?
Craig, Scotland.
I had a similar "good feeling" moment at the Test match on Friday - Geoff Boycott winked and nodded at me as I stared through the press box at him!
Do you wear a black t-shirt every day? are you Britain's answer to Henry Rollins?
These are questions for the ages.
I own that stripey cardigan that the lead singer fella bloke is wearing.
How interesting for all of you...
Perhaps I should get one, Ian, as apparently I am not allowed to wear the same colour t-shirt every day! (Once a goth, always a goth, and anyway, it goes with EVERYTHING! It's a different one by the way.)
you tell 'em Andrew, black is best and you look good in it!
Where did you get the cardigan? I think it's very cool. Kasabian "truly are the hound's testicles". Well, that's what one of the quotes on the front of the debut album said! And why wouldn't you give a shit about NME ratings?
Great stuff, it always seems like people are just in the Hub and they're out again in no time.
I don't like these hangers-on filing down to the Hub from upstairs, they turn up for Kasabian but the next day, they stay sat in their booths when some newer artist is in live. I always thought 6music was about sticking up for the little guy. I suppose status has to earned and hangers-on from upstairs are the rewards.
Aidan - I got the cardigan from All Saints, it's got a little broken heart and the words "Joy Division" embroidered on it. Not sure if that's a cool or wanky thing really.
Just looked at their website - www.allsaints.co.uk - and not sure it's in the shops anymore. Ebay will probably come good though...
Oh and Andrew, I see no problem with wearing the same colour t-shirt every day. As long as it's not the same actual t-shirt!
Cheers ians! I'll have a look but I've never heard anything by Joy Division (I'm 14!) but perhaps I'll go and see if I like them before buying one!
No joy with the website, which was hard to find anything on as well. I had this problem when I was looking for a pair of drainpipes, all the clothing shop websites are really hard to get around.
Post a Comment
<< Home