Live Report: Kasabian deliver fiery rock set to Dublin’s 3Arena

If there is one thing that ties Kasabian’s eclectic discography together, it is their chest-heaving bass-lines – always heavy, anthemic and perfectly measured. And nothing will get a crowd going like good, bass-filled heavy-hitters.

This fact is showcased right as the Leicester rockers step onto the 3Arena stage and play the opening track ‘Call’, hailing from their new album Happenings, its dance music elements, pulsating beats and huge synth section offering the promise of a high-voltage set.

Kasabian at 3Arena. Copyright Peter O'Hanlon.

The incredibly smooth transition to ‘Club Foot’, and the subsequent ‘III Ray (The King)’ confirm the sentiment – by the time the three first tracks are done, it is undeniable that the venue is about to get considerably warmed up.

Kasabian’s force is their capacity to hop between genres without ever losing their distinctiveness, thanks to their heaviness as well as an unwavering commitment to maximalism, lining their live sound with a new layer of fervour.

Kasabian at 3Arena. Copyright Peter O'Hanlon.

With this well crafted recipe, the band are able to hop from heavy rock stompers like ‘Underdog’ and the expanding intensity of its bridge, to synthy and sunny tunes like 'Re-Wired'.

Tracks like 'You're In Love With A Psycho' are dance-inducing bangers with a thin, yet surprisingly delightful layer of bubblegum pop ; where the monumental ‘stevie’ and the striking intensity of its strings feels like a cinematic, action-filled anthem.

Kasabian at 3Arena. Copyright Peter O'Hanlon.

While as eclectic as the rest of their discography, songs from the newly released album Happenings are instantly recognisable by their efficiency and the warmth they emanate, something colourful and joyous in their experimental and groovy compositions, such as the sweet and blissful ‘Coming Back To Me Good’, complete with a final unforgettable and euphoria-inducing trumpet solo.

The stage production shares this same spirit, with the album's rainbow-colored artwork as its backdrop and an oversized, sunglasses-bearing yellow skull sculpture sitting behind the musicians - as well as larger-than-life and colourful light work.

Kasabian at 3Arena. Copyright Peter O'Hanlon.

This new record marks the first since the departure of vocalist Tom Meighan in 2020, a role now filled by frontman Serge Pizzorno who does the job effortlessly, jumping around the stage with relentless energy and owning the venue with glistening charisma.

If bassist Chris Edwards delivers an absolutely raging performance, guitarist Tim Carter's skills are nothing short of showstopping either, if the many fast-paced and intoxicating solos that line the set are anything to go by.

Kasabian at 3Arena. Copyright Peter O'Hanlon.

The high-spirited rythmic section assured by Ian Matthews often carries the tracks to new levels of frenzy, transforming already catchy tracks like 'L.S.F' into blazing head-bangers.

Most importantely, Kasabian's gig is relentlessly fun, from the band's contagious chemistry to the audience's commitment to go absolutely wild with every new track, the energy reaching unmatched peaks on the hard-hitter 'Treat' and the distinctively hefty 'Vlad The Impaler'.

Kasabian at 3Arena. Copyright Peter O'Hanlon.

Because such a loud gig could not be complete without an even louder encore, it is under bright pink light that the band walks back on stage for a last string of monumental hard-hitters, ending on the western-reminiscent, burning hot 'Fire', one of Kasabian's most iconic tracks that leaves the audience's ears ringing and their blood pumping - proving just how deserving it truly is of being the last track of an unforgettable evening.