Kaiser Chiefs and the Walkmen in Boston, April 9, 2007

Everything is above average nowadays

By Rachel Surwit
Published: April 12th, 2007 | 7:55pm

Brit-pop sensations the Kaiser Chiefs are no longer the next big thing — they are big. No — huge. “We’re the world famous Kaiser Chiefs,” lead singer Ricky Wilson shouted as he began the hyper-manic set. Back in England they sell out stadiums, and this latest U.S. venture has also enjoyed first-rate status. On Monday, April 9, 2007, Boston’s Avalon was crammed with fans converted by their chart-topping second album “Yours Truly, Angry Mob,” which was released March 27.

By the entrance of openers the Walkmen, the crowd had spilled into the bar area. The band was dressed to impress in suits and collared shirts except for the drummer, Matt Barrick, in a plain white tee. His relaxed look, however, did not transcend into his drumming. Barrick sustained impassioned beats through entire songs, wielding his full force into the sticks as his face contorted with exertion.

The group’s combined performance was far from animated (as not a single smile cracked lead vocalist Hamilton Leithauser’s face), and they failed to play many of their well known songs like “Louisiana.” Instead, new work such as "What Happened to You?" and "I Lost You" started their set. Surprisingly, they didn’t even play “Lost In Boston,” which would have been a sure hit. Instead, it is their signature Dylan-esque vocals and emotive lyrics that draw fans — not unexpected from a group with St. Alban's/Columbia University diplomas who are writing a collective novel entitled John's Journey. The Walkmen’s diminutive 30-minute set left us wanting more smart tunes.

It was clear that the Kaiser Chiefs were the stars of the evening, the name adorning the black backdrop in giant 3-D blue and orange letters. Wilson and band knew how to get the crowd pumped: pausing for moments to let the crowd anticipate their next move, pointing the mic toward the crowd, and standing on the speakers and edge of the stage to encourage audience participation. “Everything is Average nowadays” had Wilson standing up on the barrier, guards holding him by his pants pockets as he leaned far into the crowd, fans grabbing at his legs — proving they are anything but an average band. During “Take My Temperature,” Wilson crowd surfed and stood atop the opposite bar, where he ordered a whiskey and coke before bursting into “Three cheers, hip, hip,” answered by an astounding “Hooray.” Catchy hits, such as “Ruby” and “Everyday I Love You Less And Less” had mosh pit pockets emerging across the venue.

The Kaiser Chiefs’ only goal was to get the energetic crowd off. An encore performance of the arresting “Oh My God” finished the night as Wilson repeatedly moaned the refrain, “I’ve never been this far away from home.” It seemed to hold more meaning as they commenced their second tour of the States, enjoying their first proper success in the U.S., taking them physically and emotionally further from home than ever.

The Kaiser Chiefs’ infectious salutation to all things Brit-pop induced quite the riot — as predicted.