After more than a decade away, the Kaiser Chiefs are set to make a triumphant return to Cheltenham Racecourse this May, eagerly anticipating the lively energy of south-west crowds. Fresh from a successful 20th anniversary tour celebrating their debut album, Employment, which took them across the UK and the globe—from Madrid and Mexico City to Sydney and Perth—the Leeds-based indie-rockers are ready to kick off festival season with a bang.
On Saturday, May 30, the Kaiser Chiefs will headline Wychwood Festival in Cheltenham for the very first time, joining an impressive lineup that includes Craig David, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Feeder, The Twang, and the Levellers, who will return as Sunday’s headliners for their sixth time at the festival.
Keyboardist Nick “Peanut” Baines, a founding member of the band, shared his excitement: “Coming back to Gloucestershire is great. As you get closer to the south-west, the crowds tend to get a bit rowdier, which is exactly what we like. We’ve played at Cheltenham Racecourse a couple of times before, but this will be our first Wychwood Festival gig. It’s also our summer tour opener, so it promises to be special.”
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Nick explained the band’s approach to festival performances: “With festival crowds, you can’t always rely on playing to your usual fans. You have to hook people right from the start. Luckily, we have plenty of big hits to keep the energy up throughout the set—no lulls allowed. We also love to mix in covers from our musical influences. On past tours, we’ve done ‘Pinball Wizard’ and The Ramones’ ‘Blitzkrieg Bop.' We’ll likely shake things up again this year to keep things fresh.”
He continued, “Our shows are high-energy and entertaining. We want everyone to leave feeling happy and charged.”
Discussing his favorite songs to perform, Nick said, “‘I Predict A Riot’ has taken on new life with a new generation of fans, which is amazing for a track that’s over 20 years old. But I also enjoy playing ‘Everyday I Love You Less and Less,’ especially the intro.”
The band’s impact in the south-west runs deep. In 2010, iconic Somerset group The Wurzels covered their hit “Ruby,” a nod that Nick takes as a compliment: “Crossover moments like that, when our music connects with completely different worlds, are brilliant. It shows we’ve reached a wide audience.”
Reflecting on their longevity, Nick emphasized friendship as the band’s cornerstone: “Our music, crew, labels, and managers might change, but the core bond between us remains unbreakable. When we step on stage, it’s just us playing together—nothing more, nothing less. That friendship keeps us going.”
Looking ahead, Nick revealed the band is already creating new material: “We don’t write on the road, so after touring, we retreat to our rehearsal space in Leeds to make some noise and turn it into songs. We’ve been at it for weeks now, and it’s an exciting process. We’ll see where the music takes us after the summer.”
Catch the Kaiser Chiefs headlining at the Wychwood Festival on Saturday, May 30. Tickets are selling fast—don’t miss out on what’s sure to be a rowdy and unforgettable night.