The opening instalment of the eight-night Belsonic festival kicks-off with something of a home run. Local boys Ash bombard the city centre crowd with one formidable song after another, incorruptible classics such as ‘Shining Light’, ‘Girl From Mars’ and affirmative anthem ‘Oh Yeah’ all given an airing. Tonight the songs are bolstered by the presence of temporary second guitarist – and Bloc Party’s fringe-in-chief – Russell Lissack. The two-pronged guitar attack adds extra thrust as the band snarl through ‘Orpheus’ and an enjoyably snotty rendition of ‘Kung Fu’. The band are clearly enjoying themselves, Tim Wheeler unleashing his full beam smile at the gathered throng, “We started out playing the Penny Farthing around the corner,” recalls the frontman, “about 15 people were there, so it’s great to see so many people out in Belfast tonight”.
The people, though, have come to see Kasabian. The English quintet have been quick to assume Oasis’ abdicated duties and are now the go-to-guys for the big, communal rock experience. Menacing from the outset, they take the stage to Wendy Carlos’ theme from A Clockwork Orange. Tom Meighan is the Leicestershire gang’s very own Alex, we his droogs. Dressed in shades, black garb and sheer attitude, the rabble rousing frontman cajoles and riles the punters. He calls us “rowdy bastards” and confirms that Belfast is “empire”. We bet he says that to all the boys.
The audience (largely blokes) respond in kind, pumping fists and stomping feet as the aggro rhythms of ‘Shoot The Runner’ are unleashed. Serge Pizzorno, nonchalant in headband, picks out the gargantuan riffs of ‘Underdog’ and ‘Processed Beats’, whilst Meighan continues to fizz like Alka-Seltzer and leads the thug-rock dance of ‘Fast Fuse’. The triple whammy encore of ‘Fire’, ‘Vlad The Impaler’ and ‘LSF’ rounds the evening out in devastating fashion and leaves me pitying the Belsonic performers who must pick up the headline baton for the forthcoming dates.