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Description: The Brighton fuzz-pop band headline a show in aid of Shelter.
Thrilling: Kasabian's Tom Meighan
If there's any one event in London that exemplifies the shape of indie music today, it's Xfm's Winter Wonderland. Tickets to the radio station's annual bonanza sold out in six minutes, breaking the Brixton Academy's record (set by, erm, Winter Wonderland last year).
Even the band second from the bottom of the bill, Boy Kill Boy, boasts such superstar fans as Scarlett Johansson, and single Shoot Me Down at Saturday's show had the crowd waving glowsticks.
See more pictures from the gig here
The Automatic were grittier. Having started life as a thrashy hardcore band, the Welsh four-piece now ply a cartoony punk pop, as on hit single Monster. Their top track was a snarly cover of Kanye West's Gold Digger, singer Rob Hawkins riffing on a flute while scrawny keyboard player Pennie shoutrapped the words.
But the evening, compèred by Lauren Laverne, came to life with The Feeling, led by openly gay singer Dan Sells. In a shiny shirt with diamante arm-garters, Sells is a refreshing contrast to the laddishness of many current indie bands.
The Feeling used to be a covers band in the Alps, and while their version of Buggles' Video Killed The Radio Star was slick, it was also energetic and gleefully camp.
Next up were The Kooks, a band now so big they can open their set with three album tracks. They looked so charming you half expected singer Luke Pritchard to click his heels, Dick Van Dyke-style, as he hopped across the stage. But for all their jauntiness, The Kooks played such melodic songs as Ooh La and Naïve with real heart.
Winter Wonderland's secret guest was Tenacious D, the comedy rock duo led by Jack Black; this was a hilarious interlude, Black pulling off slomo kung-fu moves.
The real triumph however, were headliners Kasabian. "Saturday night, Brixton Academy, what more could you want?" asked singer Tom Meighan. Kasabian played with conviction, investing a mighty punch into songs like Club Foot.
There's a thrilling sleaziness to Kasabian - the glam rock strut of Empire, The Doberman lurching and snaling.
After the explosive finish, the crowd exited chanting the closer, LSF. Not the most festive of songs, granted, but a dazzling way to end the night.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
