LIVE REVIEW & GALLERY: Tom Meighan @ O2 Academy, Leeds

18th December 2024

Support from Annabel Allum

Words by Chris Smith

On an unusually mild Wednesday night in December, I made my way into Leeds, looking forward to the previously cancelled concert rescheduled from October. Tom had cancelled several gigs after having an operation on his throat.

Walking from the car park, the city centre seemed unusually quiet, especially as the nearby Millennium Square was hosting a Christmas fayre, but it was only 6:45. I called into Wetherspoons for a pint, then went on to the venue. There wasn't much of a queue outside as I went through security, but as time moved on, a gradual flow of music fans started to fill the main floor standing area.

First up was the support act, Annabel Allum and her band, with a strong performance and grungy riffs—an ideal support for Tom. Although, in my opinion, it could have used some more up-tempo songs, Annabel had a good welcoming response from the Leeds crowd, and her set passed very quickly.

The O2 started to fill up, the space between the sound desk and the stage getting packed with eager fans. The sound system was blasting out 90s indie classics, which weirdly transitioned into the Star Wars theme. The lights went down, and the band came on stage first, followed by Tom, straight into the cracking "Underdog," and the crowd was jumping.

New tracks "Headcase" and "Don't Give In" from the upcoming album Roadrunner followed and were well received. The album is due for release in January.

"ill Ray (The King)," a Kasabian track, went down a storm. I hadn't heard it before, but it was like Arctic Monkeys turned into dance music—very good.

Tom slowed it down for "Better Life," followed by "Where Did All the Love Go?"

Tom was full of confidence and in great form, just what you would expect from a guy who had graced the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury with Kasabian—the showman who lifts the crowd and takes them on a trip with him.

A total of 18 songs, mixing Kasabian's greatest hits with Tom's own songs, made for a brilliant set list. It's hard to pick highlights from a set like this, as the band were bang on, as was Tom.

I'm going to pick six songs that I would say stood out for me:

"Better Life"

"Would You Mind"

"LSF"

"Club Foot"

"Moving On" (which worked seamlessly into "Fire" as the encore)

A fantastic performance by a great frontman and a great band. There were a lot of happy fans shuffling out of the fire exits and onto the streets that night.