There was a clear feeling of a homecoming as excited fans crammed into the HMV store, spilling in between rows of vinyls to get closer to the small stage the Leeds-born Kaiser Chiefs were performing on. The band walked on, frontman Ricky Wilson sporting a toothy grin, and launched into the first two songs from their new synthpop-infused album Stay Together.

Wilson was visibly tired:“I still have my makeup on from BBC Breakfast” he mumbled. At points, it seemed as though Ricky was performing out of obligation. This was clearest when the band performed songs from the new album; the pre-recorded synths and string sections that sound effortlessly catchy on the album ringing hollow in the small venue.

There was a strange disconnect between the band and the music which the audience, less thrilled than expected, could sense. And then Wilson announced the next song: “This song’s called ‘Ruby’, and she’s in the audience here today.” That was when the band kicked into gear.

It’s easy to forget that songs, especially those that rocket in popularity, are written about real people and experiences, but as Wilson performed, looking around the room and waving at friends, family and long-time fans, the emotional detachedness of the first few songs morphed into a casual familiarity.

The boys ended their set with the aptly-chosen ‘Coming Home’ from their 2014 album Education, Education, Education & War. Wilson’s visible fatigue, whilst hindering the newer songs, lent this song its necessary emotional weight; Wilson and the band are getting old, but are, at their core, still the same band that Leeds have always loved.

Mikhail Hanafi

(Image: Gigwise)