Review - I watched Kasabian and felt fortunate I still had clothes at the end

I grew up during the indie-rock golden age in the mid-to-late noughties when the genre dominated the charts. Its influence was everywhere; your neighbour looked like Pete Doherty and black skinny jeans were still the way to a woman's heart.

Kasabian tunes played religiously every Saturday at my favourite nightclub event 'Blast Off!', in Wolverhampton. "I'm on fire" would ring around the Civic Hall as we shuffled our feet across its sticky floors while downing cans of chilled Red Stripe.

It was a magical era and I don't think it will ever come around again - despite what fashionistas say. More recently, at this year's Glastonbury, I tried to watch Kasabian's 'secret' set on the Woodsies stage but, by the time I arrived, it was too late: the tent was rammed and it was impossible to get close.

READ MORE: Huge Birmingham attraction shuts down 'with a heavy heart' as regulars say 'gutted'

Clearly, everyone, along with their friend's dog's hamster knew it was happening. Instead, I watched the gig on a huge screen near the stage which felt a bit like watching a house party unfold through a kitchen window.

So, I was pleased when the opportunity came to see the band, now four years without former lead singer Tom Meighan, at Birmingham's bp pulse LIVE at the NEC.

But, I must admit, the night didn't get off to the best start because I told my mate, Charlie, to meet me at the Utilita Arena where I wrongly assumed the gig was taking place. We rocked up at 7.30pm only to be told by a nice man on the door: "This is Disney On Ice boys - not Kasabian."

The flashing Mickey Mouse wands and Disney t-shirts being sold around us were starting to make sense. So, fearing I'd blown it, we quickly jumped in a taxi and headed 16 miles down to the M6.

Disappointingly - though thankfully I had no one other than myself to blame - we only caught the end of The Streets - Birmingham's very own. But, we did manage to get close to the front before Kasabian dropped the curtains shortly before 9pm.

Sergio Pizzorno, now the band's sole vocalist, came out in one of his usual flamboyant tracksuits and had the crowd eating out of his hand from the very start. His voice is certainly different to Meighan's, and it takes some getting used to, but make no mistake, this is still Kasabian.

I wasn't overly familiar with the songs from their new album, Happenings, released in the summer, other than 'Call' which in fairness took the roof off. But not more so than classics such as Club Foot, Underdog, Shoot the Runner and L.S.F which had the entire arena bouncing along.

Moshes were almost everywhere I looked by the mid-way point. Somehow Charlie lost both his vest and shirt amid the chaos. He would later leave the NEC without either.

And to my surprise, I also fleetingly saw my cousin in a mosh pit, despite not knowing he was attending, before he disappeared again into a sea of sweaty people. A brief encounter, but a great one.

By the time Fire closed out the gig, probably by favourite Kasabian tune because of those nostalgic Blast Off! days, I was physically exhausted and dripping with sweat.

"Do we stink?" I asked a now topless Charlie. "I think so mate". Sign of a very good night in my eyes.