Kasabian: O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire – Live Review

Kasabian | Blossoms
O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
25th February 2025

BRITs Week 2025 in aid of War Child came to O2 Shepherd’s Bush London with an energetic show from Kasabian with support from indie popsters Blossoms ahead of their joint tour to Australia.

It’s been eight years since I last shot a Blossoms show, in this exact venue, and stuff of note has happened in that time: a split from Virgin EMI and resultant move into true indie-ness; an improbable but popular bunch of shows with Rick Astley covering The Smiths; and a catchy, verging on novelty, pop tune about a lost fibreglass gorilla called Gary (or, in Blossoms speak, Gareh) with more than a whiff of their collaboration with the great CMAT about it.

There’s a distinct calmness about them tonight. The set and lighting are simple and on brand with their recent album, also called Gary: the band (with numbers swelled to seven tonight) showing off a hint of The Sweet-style ‘70s glam, dressed mostly in black, bathed in an orangey hue. It’s a short sharp set of 12 shimmering songs, mixing staple Blossoms numbers with newer tracks like Perfect Me, I Like Your Look (written with CMAT), and, of course, Gary, which crawl into the pop compartment of the brain and lurk there. Masters of the humorous video, there are flashes of the same sense of fun here and there although they seem slightly repressed tonight. Or maybe they’re just not required to do that much, with every song being sung back at them by a willing crowd.

Between bands, representatives of War Child arrive on stage to provide some sobering statistics – that one in five children are currently either living in conflict or fleeing conflict – and to talk about the amazing work that this charity does to raise money to help impacted children. Disappointingly, despite several “shut the fuck up”s from across the venue, there’s relentless rude chatter throughout the speeches, resulting in a War Child rep observing, sadly: “Sorry you didn’t realise it was a fundraiser.” It doesn’t sour the evening, but it’s not a proud moment. Things brighten when the audience are asked to light up their phones, and everyone who does so is instructed to donate £10. Hope some did.

Kasabian arrive on stage to football chants of “Sergio, Sergio”, who emerges from the darkness in a leopardskin top and mismatched shoes, all coiled energy waiting to sprint off the blocks. The band are all up the back in a line, leaving the rest of the stage for Serge to endlessly prowl in his now trademark swagger. He’s on the move constantly and, let’s face it, sometimes it’s really just walking about with attitude. But he does a great job of working the crowd and, from the moment Club Foot starts, they’re totally up for it with an energy that says at the same level for the entire show. Yes, it’s hard not to draw comparisons to what Kasabian were before and who’s missing now, but the measure tonight is that the crowd are loving it regardless.

Towards the end of the main set, much-loved comedian Noel Fielding, star of the Vlad The Impaler video, makes a surprise appearance on stage with the greeting “Shepherd’s Bush! Shepherd’s Boosh!”, followed by rushing to plant a kiss on the top of longtime friend Serge’s head. It’s a masterclass in how to undermine a swaggering rock star in five seconds.

Elsewhere, the crowd frenzy continues to build and by the time LSF (Lost Souls Forever) starts up the entire lower floor is jumping as one. When Serge says: “Let’s get as many people on shoulders as we can,” it feels like the whole crowd rise to the challenge; bodies, hands, legs and, of course, phones in the air. Halfway through the song Serge disappears and emerges on the balcony on Level One lit up like a leopard messiah, everyone turning to face him, still on shoulders, still jumping, singing back to him.

The party feeling continues right to the very end, with bumblebee, Bless This Acid House, and a raucous Fire bringing the concert to a sweaty and exhilarating close. An evening to end all evenings and doubtless a jewel in the crown of War Child’s week of shows.

Upcoming BRIT’s Week 2025 for War Child shows:

28th February – Clean Bandit, The London Palladium, London
3rd March – Tom Walker, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
4th March – Soft Play, Village Underground, London
5th March – Rag’N’Bone Man, De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill
5th March – James Bay, 100 Club, London

For more details visit the BRITs Week 25 for War Child website

Follow Kasabian on their website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Follow Blossoms on their website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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All words and photos by Naomi Dryden-Smith. Louder Than War  | Facebook  |Twitter  | Instagram  | portfolio

Use of these images in any form without permission is copyright infringement. To use/purchase or license any images please contact naomi@louderthanwar.com

• Source: NEWHD MEDIA