Friday 8th February 2008, Shepherds Bush Empire

After an eight year absence, psychedelica-rockers Kula Shaker are back in the spotlight with a new album and a brand new sound. Tonight, the band burst onstage before an expectant crowd with an unexpected cover of The MC5’s ‘Kick out the Jams’, delivered with relentless energy and zeal. Frontman Crispian Mills stalks the stage, jumping and diving into one spiralling solo after another, deftly accompanied by newcomer Harry B. Broadbent on keys, who appears dressed in a shiny white cape and Ringo Starr’s moustache.

Mills, always one to speak his mind, introduces new song ‘Out on the Highway’ by asking us to imagine Jeremy Clarkson “naked and strapped to the roof of your car”. What follows is a string of full-sounding, tightly-performed rock songs with catchy hooks, which occasionally delve into their familiar psychedelica territory, at times reminiscent of Barrett-era Pink Floyd.

The band doesn’t neglect their extensive back catalogue and, as you might expect, the best response from the crowd is reserved for classic tracks ‘Hey Dude’, ‘303’ and ‘Govinda’, which has everyone on their feet.
As ever, Mills can’t resist making a political statement before closing the show; this time he focuses on the proposed ID card legislation. His predictions and support for the ‘No2ID’ campaign are almost Orwellian, but hey, what’s rock ‘n’ roll without something to rebel against?

All in all Kula Shaker deliver a solid performance, satisfying their die-hard fans yet bringing something sufficiently new to the fore.

Words by Luther Davies