Live Report: Kasabian play a festival worthy set at Fairview Park

The rain had already settled over Fairview Park by the time Miles Kane took to the stage, but it did little to dampen the mood.

Playing to a crowd made up of both dedicated fans and broader British alternative appreciators, Kane delivered a charismatic support set that only strengthened the case for another Last Shadow Puppets record.

Both members, including Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner, have teased the idea of completing a trilogy following their previous records The Age of Understatement and Everything You've Come To Expect, but no studio dates have been set.

Effortlessly cool, it was the perfect warm-up act.

Miles Kane - Credit: Zoltán Szabó

As showtime approached, The Beatles' 'Hey Jude' echoed around the tent while a countdown clock appeared on the screen behind the stage.

The moment Kasabian emerged, frontman Serge Pizzorno wasted no time making his presence felt.

"Dublin, how the fuck are you?"

The roar that came back left no doubt.

Serge Pizzorno - Credit: Zoltán Szabó

Opening with 'GREAT PRETENDER', Serge immediately demanded more from the audience, "I want to see this place bouncing!"

The crowd mirrored his frantic energy from the outset, creating a sea of movement. Strobe lights flashed with such intensity that they threatened to overwhelm the senses. Still, nobody seemed particularly concerned, as long as the music kept coming, temporary blindness seemed like a fair trade.

By the time 'Call' arrived, the atmosphere had shifted up another level. Whether fuelled by pre-show pints or simply the song's high-energy blend of indie rock and electronic, barely anyone around was standing still.

Despite taking place in a more intimate tent on Dublin's Northside, the show felt considerably bigger, with the atmosphere on par with that of a major festival headline set, with Kasabian feeding off every ounce of energy being thrown their way.

Kasabian - Credit: Zoltán Szabó

Serge, meanwhile, was hard to keep track of. Rarely remaining in one spot for more than a few seconds, he sprinted from one side of the stage to the other before launching himself down into the crowd early into the set.

During a thunderous rendition of 'Clubfoot', he shared a moment screaming lyrics face-to-face with one fan, a fitting delivery for an intense, driving track about the chaotic state of the world, touching on the Iraq War, toxic manipulation in relationships, and a raw sense of revenge. A song that's kept its relevance for over a decade.

Kasabian - Credit: Zoltán Szabó

"Everyone's so fucking sound and lovely," Serge told the crowd. The reaction to 'Underdog' suggested the feeling was mutual.

For 'Empire', the singer anchored himself to the mic stand, lining up alongside the rest of the band.

"Hands in the air! Hands in the air!" he screamed, and the crowd obliged as he leaned back, soaking in the reaction.

'Shoot The Runner' maintained the night's relentless pace while drummer Ian Matthews drove the performance forward with trademark intensity. There were moments where he appeared to grimace under the weight of the band's breakneck tempo, but the rhythm never faltered. Tim Carter's guitar work was a constant highlight throughout the evening. His riffs flowed effortlessly from one song to the next, hypnotic enough to leave the crowd transfixed.

'Days Are Forgotten' generated one of the loudest sing-alongs of the night, while 'You're In Love With A Psycho' showcased the band's flair for building anticipation. Carter carefully teased out the opening notes as Serge took the opportunity for another dance break, his movements becoming increasingly unpredictable as the night wore on.

Tim Carter - Credit: Zoltán Szabó

One of the evening's memorable moments arrived when long-time touring musician Gary Alesbrook appeared with a trumpet. The brass section transformed the next few songs entirely, adding a dramatic flourish.

As the set neared its conclusion, Matthews was given his own moment in the spotlight. Encouraged by both the band and the audience, the drummer unleashed a thunderous solo before Kasabian briefly left the stage.

Ian Matthews - Credit: Zoltán Szabó

Returning for the encore, Serge delivered one final rally cry, "It's here, and it's now," he called.

"No one wants to be anywhere but Dublin right now. It's us and you. All of us together."

In lesser hands, the sentiment might have sounded rehearsed, but here it felt entirely genuine.

Kasabian closed the night in the only way they could: at full throttle. Pints flew through the air, phones were held aloft to capture the moment, and younger fans perched on shoulders enjoying the best view in the house for 'Fire'.

Kasabian - Credit: Zoltán Szabó

With their ninth studio album arriving later this summer, Kasabian look determined to keep moving forward.