Kaiser Chiefs headlined their first ever UK festival tonight (June 13), as they brought the opening day of Isle Of Wight 2008 to a close.
Although the band have been responsible for many memorable festival moments over the last three summers, the band confirmed to NME.COM that this was the first time they had topped a mainstage bill on their own turf.
"It's great to come on when it's dark," declared drummer Nick Hodgson, who sported a new moustache for the occasion. "This is the first time we've headlined a UK festival so it's special."
"It's not the mainland though," joked Whitey, "we'll make it to the mainland one day."
The guitarist added that after their hometown Elland Road show in Leeds last month, the band had been enjoying their summer dates so far.
"Elland Road was our gig, we had as many fingers in as many Elland Road pies as we could," he explained. "We really enjoyed that gig, but the pressure is off tonight, it's fun."
The show itself saw the band mix a series of crowd favourites with several new songs.
Kicking off with 'Everything Is Average Nowadays', Kaiser Chiefs triggered a giant sing-a-long for 'Ruby'.
However, with the likes of 'Never Miss A Beat' and 'You Want History', they also gave the Isle Of Wight crowd a sneak preview of their next record, which has seen the band collaborate with Mark Ronson.
"We're working on our next record! We're writing the future hits of tomorrow," declared frontman Ricky Wilson as he introduced the first, electro-tinged newcomer. "This is one of them!"
For the second new track 'You Want History' the band roped in their tour manager Mike Darling - introducing him as "tour manager of the year!" - to play tambourine for them.
With former singles including 'Modern Way', 'I Predict A Riot' - which Wilson led the crowd from half way up the lighting rig - and 'The Angry Mob' continuing the sing-a-long, the band briefly left the stage before wrapping up the first night of Isle Of Wight 2008 with the loudest crowd vocals of the night for 'Oh My God'.
"This is a great festival," Wilson told the crowd. "I'll be sure to recommend it to all my friends!"
Kaiser Chiefs played:
'Everything Is Average Nowadays'
'Everyday I Love You Less And Less'
'Thank You Very Much'
'Born To Be A Dancer'
'Ruby'
'Never Miss A Beat'
'Saturday Night'
'Modern Way'
'You Want History'
'Na Na Na Na Naa'
'Retirement'
'I Predict A Riot'
'Take My Temperature'
'The Angry Mob'
'Heat Dies Down'
'Oh My God'
Keep up with this weekend's (June 13-15) festival action as it happens on NME.COM. For news, pictures and blogs keep checking the NME.COM's Isle Of Wight Festival page and NME.COM's Download Festival page for live coverage from both sites.
