Myself and my best mate Stephen have followed the Rise & Rise of Kasabian ever since the early days, going to see them each time they perform within a 60 mile radius of Newcastle. Last year we both left the academy after their amazing set totally blown away and exhausted from all the jumping around and agreed that that was the best gig we'd ever been to by any band at the same size venue......over time we also agreed that it would take something EXTRA SPECIAL to surpass the greatness of that event.......and guess what, here we are a year later and it has been SMASHED !!! and by the only band capable of beating Kasabian.......Kasabian!!! Tom & Serge walked on the stage at the newly re-named O2 academy with a statement of intent....and that statement was "we are here, you are here, lets get mental !!!" from start to finish they raised the bar for performance and crowd euphoria!!! eclipsing the best gig ever from a year ago and catapulting their status beyond a humble academy tour. after over an hour of fantastic performance combining great tracks from their debut, 2nd album Empire and west Ryder we were treated to an absolute peach of a send off, the "you've got the love / LSF" collaboration......it was amazing.....we were sure they were sending us home with a chilled vibe after the chaos that had gone before, but no......they rocked it one last time and sent everyone off on their merry way in to the warm Newcastle night with grins to rival a Cheshire cat and memories worth keeping in your mind forever.........that night on the way home we both couldn't wait to see them again the following day supporting Oasis, and once again agreed that this was probably unsurpassable.....we also both agreed that the band were metaphorically inches away from their very own stadium or arena tour.......to which they recently obliged by releasing the dates for their widely anticipated tour of Britain, needless to say we jumped all over it!!! and the tickets now hold pride of place on my fridge, which is the upcoming events board in my house, and not since the Weller gig at the very same venue have I anticipated or been as excited about a show, I have a trip to Africa soon and return only days before the gig and it will be one hell of a home coming!!! I know myself, my best mate and the thousands in attendance will not be disappointed.......but probably leave wanting more!!!