REVIEW: Kaiser Chiefs celebrate anniversary at Temple Newsam

Leeds royalty Kaiser Chiefs delivered an evening of indie rock classics, with special guests, to celebrate 20 years since their debut album - Employment.

Temple Newsam welcomed a line up of different nostalgic indie acts before the showstopper five piece band welcomed riots and angry mobs - all whilst never missing a beat!

Kaiser Chiefs walking on stage at Temple Newsam - Image by Natasha Judge

Leeds United fans were able to continue champion’s celebrations with the band performing the adopted Leeds celebration tune ‘I Predict a Riot’, not once, but twice.

Lead singer, Ricky Wilson, surprised the crowd of 30,000 by bringing out Leeds striker, Patrick Bamford, to perform the tune a second time. Bamford came accompanied with a guitar and LUFC merchandise, and was met with an up-roaring crowd chanting along.

The ‘Employment’ album was sung in full, including tracks ‘Born to Be a Dancer’, ‘Modern Way’ and ‘Na Na Na Na Naa’. Before an even further energetic encore which started with a cover of Ramones ‘Blitzkrieg Bop’.

Being Leeds fans themselves, the band brought out the Championship trophy during this cover, and Wilson excitedly introduced the crowd to their second special guest of the evening, Patrick Bamford.

He said: “We have a competition winner joining us.”

Kaiser Chiefs joined by original band member Nick J.D Hodgson - Image by Natasha Judge

Not forgetting the first surprise of their set being original Kaiser Chiefs member, Nick J.D Hodgson, re-joining the band for a group performance of song ‘Oh My God’. It was the first performance with Hodgson since 2012, so a real full circle moment for many long time fans.

The band had evidently put a lot of time and planning into the hometown gig, with impressive graphics tailored to each song, and some light-hearted Jurassic Park theming. The band walked out to the Was (Not Was) track ‘Walk the Dinosaur’, before kicking their set off with ‘Everyday I Love You Less and Less’.

The producer of the album - which was celebrating its china anniversary, Steven Street, was also piggybacked on stage with Ricky Wilson, to acknowledge his part in the band's history.

From the setting, to even the branded yellow, blue and white cups, the day was a real acknowledgment of the band’s longevity, and their musical and cultural impact on Leeds.

Football fan or not, you could not help but feel great patriotism towards Yorkshire, and the clear talent, like Kaiser Chiefs, it has to offer as a county.

The West Yorkshire grounds also saw performances from Ellur, Hot Wax, and We Are Scientists earlier in the day.

We Are Scientists on stage - Image by Natasha Judge

We Are Scientists were at Temple Newsam for the second week running, after having performed at Live at Leeds in the Park the previous weekend. This time they performed a special set on the anniversary of their album ‘With Love and Squalor’, which also celebrated 20 years since its release.

Lead singer of the group, Keith Murray, jokingly addressed the crowd nearing the end of their set.

He said: “I like how they have done the acts in age order.”

A key highlight of the day was Merseyside band, The Coral, taking to the stage for a stellar performance.

Classic nostalgic hits ‘In The Morning’, ‘Dreaming of You’ and ‘Pass It On’ went down very well with the crowd. The alternative rock group also performed a cover of The Doors ‘People Are Strange’, which complimented their musical style tremendously.

The Coral performing at Temple Newsam - Image by Natasha Judge

In continuing the theme of album anniversaries, West Yorkshire band, The Cribs, performed a special set for 20 years since their ‘The New Fellas’ album.

The Wakefield group opened for Kaiser Chiefs back when both their albums came out, so twins Gary and Ryan Jarman expressed how full circle the day felt.

They also admitted they had not toured in over a year, nor do they tour all that often anymore.

Ryan Jarman, smiling, said to the crowd: “Catch us whilst you can!”

Despite this, The Cribs are performing dates in Hull, Lincoln and Glasgow, as well as a few festival appearances this year, so there are a few chances left to see them.

The Cribs on stage for an anniversary set of The New Fellas - Image by Natasha Judge

An excellent set was also performed by Razorlight, who were celebrating the 20th anniversary of their album ‘Up All Night’.

Lead singer and guitarist, Johnny Borrell, said: “Thank you for coming out and supporting real live music.”

Before continuing to say they play everything live, any mistakes and all. There were countless times he could be seen smiling to the audience, who were chanting the lyrics right back to the band.

Again, with Razorlight, the set had clearly been well planned with accompanying photo graphics for different tracks. The anniversary album in question was carefully weaved throughout the setlist, alongside some of their other discography tracks.

Razorlight celebrate 20 years of their album Up All Night - Image by Natasha Judge

The day was an excellent nod to albums that came out in 2005, and the connection that many hold with these tunes 20 years on.

Futuresounds pulled off a fantastic day of music, in celebration of the Leeds locals debut album success.

You can catch the Kaiser Chiefs performing at many festivals, as well as their headline shows, and further information can be found on their website.