The British music festival: thoughts flash through the mind of muddy fields, wellies, long friendly queues for a Red Stripe and maybe a port-a-loo that you’re doing all you can to avoid. This bears no resemblance however to my visit to see Kaiser Chiefs play at Greenwich Summer Sounds (GSS).

GSS made its grand entrance this summer bringing a refreshing and refined experience to the London festival scene. Walking through the festival entrance gates, immediately I found myself gazing upwards at the historic buildings of the Old Royal Naval College. A UNESCO world heritage site, I had never envisioned dancing amongst laser beams and bucket hats in the shadows of Sir Christopher Wren’s architecture – but I certainly wouldn’t be complaining.

Given the spectacular setting, I was glad that there was time for a recce before the music got going. Lining the path between the royal courtyards a selection of London’s finest street food vendors had been carefully curated. With the rain coming down, I was pleased to see that alongside Duck Shed, Hermanos Tacos and Baked Bird, GSS had also brought in speciality coffee connoisseurs from the likes of Copper Penny – a truly well-rounded offering. Nonetheless, I have never been known to turn down a Spicy Marg so Pimente stole my thirst alongside a Cheeky Burger who’s pickle portions must be given a fond note.

As the rain eased, Scottish accents drifted across from the stage as support act The View had arrived. The crowd began to gather with 2007 banger ‘Same Jeans’ getting the air oozy with nostalgia. The Kaiser Chiefs soon came to the stage and very quickly proved to be the perfect choice closing act for Greenwich Summer Sounds 2023.

Against an LED backdrop which moved through images of neon slot machines, rubies and OMG graffiti, the band succeeded in delivering ninety minutes of pure and uncontainable fun. ‘Never Miss a Beat’ opened the set, feeling like an instruction to the audience ahead of the songs to come – and the message was well received with the fizz of the crowd holding up until the last beat of the performance. The setlist successfully staggered the band’s repertoire of throwback indie anthems with newer hits including the zany ‘How 2 Dance’ whilst Ricky Wilson’s charismatic chit-chat broke up the set with ease. ‘I Predict a Riot’ and ‘Ruby’ were personal favourites with every word of the nearly 20-year-old tracks yelled in unison by all present. The ‘OMG’ encore however, was the undeniable showstopper of the evening – the crowd reaching crescendo with brightly coloured party poppers falling down from a post-sunset moody London skyline.

An iconic evening leaving us greatly anticipating Greenwich Summer Sounds 2024. 

Date: 4- 8 July 2023. Location: Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, Greenwich, London , SE10 9NN. Website: greenwichsummersounds.com

Words by Lucy Firestone