Kaiser Chiefs’s front man Ricky Wilson opened their gig with “we are going to have a good time” – and that is exactly what happened.
The indie rock band, who formed in 1997, took to the stage as the rain fell, festival-goers now donning macks over summery attire.
But the downpour just seemed to intensify, rather than dampen, the electric atmosphere Kaisers conjured up.
Their number one single Ruby as well as The Angry Mob, both from the band’s second album Yours Truly, Angry Mob, were sing-along anthems.
They also plugged new track Never Miss a Beat, which is out in the UK on October 6, with their new album Off With Their Heads released a week later.
Wilson’s talent of maintaining a relaxed dialogue with tens of thousands got the crowd on his side.
He teased revellers by challenging them to “beat last night,” the Staffordshire element of V Fest, and by asking “does anyone want to pop off to see The Verve?”
He told the audience he wanted them to be “so loud it broke health and safety” and later into the set told them they should “give themselves a round of applause. Hip hip hooray.”
Health and safety was blatantly not one of Wilson’s priorities as he energetically climbed up the set in front of fans.
Kaiser’s gig was a polished musical performance enhanced by crowd interaction and drama.
Unmissable.
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