Live music and a stunning view of London’s skyline sound like the perfect combination for a warm July evening. English indie-rock band Kaiser Chiefs played a concert at Alexandria Palace Park on Saturday, July 19th as part of the venue’s summer season which was just that. The show celebrated 20 years of the band’s debut album, “Employment,” as they performed the album in its entirety alongside other hits and fan favorites.

The band was supported by two other acts - We Are The Scientists and The Coral. The night kicked off with American band We Are The Scientists, known for their signature danceable rock sound rooted in the early 2000s. Their 2005 debut album sold over 100,000 copies in the UK and established them in the scene. Lead singer Keith Murray told the audience “we took a right turn to be here and support Kaiser Chiefs.” Their stage design was colorful with photos of cats matching their energetic performance on stage. The three-piece band, consisting of Keith Murray (vocals/guitar), Chris Cain (bass), and Keith Carne (drums), got the crowd going and warmed them up for the acts to follow. Murray also announced that the band has a new album coming out soon and that their debut album was also released 20 years ago this year, which is why they are going on tour in October, playing the album in full to celebrate. Following them was the British psych-folk-rock band The Coral, formed in 1996. Known for their distinctive blend of 1960s garage rock, psychedelic pop, and folk influences, their self-titled debut album topped the charts in the UK in 2002 and was followed by successful singles such as “Dreaming of You,” which was arguably their biggest hit and got the crowd to sing along and dance with the musicians on stage.

When Kaiser Chiefs stepped on stage the energy in the outdoor venue shifted and the fans in the front row were immediately captivated, singing along to every word. Kaiser Chiefs, a British rock band formed in 2003 in Leeds, consists of Vijay Mistry (drums), Ricky Wilson (vocals), Andrew White (guitar), Nicholas Baines (keyboard), and Simon Rix (bass). It was immediately apparent that Wilson had endless energy, jumping around on stage when the band kicked off their set with the hit songs “Everyday I Love You Less and Less” followed by “I Predict a Riot,” immediately giving the audience what they came for. The audience cheered and shouted the lyrics back at the band. The band’s stage design was really fun, mirroring themes of their debut album, “Employment,” while also featuring a Jurassic Park theme called ‘Dino Chiefs’ as well as a PlayStation theme, ‘The Kaiser Station,’ which added a humorous twist to their performance. After playing their debut album in full, they performed a cover of “Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones, “Never Miss A Beat” and, of course, their biggest hit, “Ruby,” released in 2007, which had the audience erupting in cheers.

The band’s performance at Alexandra Palace Park made it clear why they are still relevant in the British music scene two decades after releasing their debut album. The production quality of the show was excellent, the music catchy and easy to sing along with, and the crowd, despite being very diverse in age, included many older men who probably grew up with the band and still come out to see their favorite band live. The night felt like a nostalgic celebration of their career, almost like the band took the crowd back to the early 2000s to relive their teenage years or let younger fans experience their energetic performance for the first time. Overall, it was a fun, high-energy show that had fans sincing and dancing slong from start to finish.