Kaiser Chiefs' Ricky Wilson and Nick 'Peanut' Baines on 20 years of Employment and the 'Leeds sound'

On Thursday (October 3), the group revealed their huge homecoming show at Temple Newsam Park on Saturday, May 31, 2025, which will mark the 20th anniversary of their debut album Employment.

The critically acclaimed album, which contained hits such as 'I Predict A Riot' and 'Every Day I Love You Less and Less', shot five mid-20-somethings from local indie rockers to national superstars and earned them everything from Brit Awards to platinum albums - and remains the best selling album ever from a Leeds act.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, singer Wilson and keyboardist Peanut, now 20 years older, shared the struggles - and frustration - that came with being from Leeds.

Wilson said: "It was so far away from London, where all the money and the pens were for signing record deals. And the fact that Leeds' music scene didn't - and still doesn't - have a 'sound'.

"Both of those things were like: 'How do you get people to come to see us?'.

"Looking back on that, both of those things were great for us, because we could get good without people seeing us."

Peanut added: "The people came to us. We got a couple of good demos going, and said: 'Actually, they come to us'.

"That's how we did it the Kaiser Chiefs way."

The lack of a "Leeds sound" allowed the five-piece, which also consists of guitarist Andrew White, bassist Simon Rix and then-drummer Nick Hodgson to "create their own sound". Hodgson was replaced by Vijay Mistry in 2013.

Wilson said: "All the bands and artists [in Leeds] would go to the same pubs and bars, so we all knew everyone. But no one was copying each other or trying to have a sound that was more 'generic' to [Leeds].

"It was really good because we all sounded different and we were all doing different things."

Employment is Leeds through and through. The songs are about the city and the aspiration to get out of it.

Not because it's a bad place, but because it's not London, where the record labels are, Peanut explained. But to them, it was important to keep their Leeds identity and to sing about the city in their songs.

Wilson added: "As soon as you actually start being creative in a specific way that's very personal to you, I think it becomes weirdly more universal."

Two decades after shooting to stardom, Kaiser Chiefs prepare for their biggest hometown show yet along with mid-noughties guests Razorlight, The Cribs, The Coral and We Are Scientists as well as Hastings trio HotWax and West Yorkshire local Ellur.

Wilson said: "We always write a setlist wanting the best of the audience. But playing [Employment] in full will be for the audience and a little bit for us because we get to play things we don't usually play."

Peanut added: "It's really down to us what we're gonna do that day, because it's gonna be slightly different from a normal gig.

"It's a challenge for us, but there is definitely a reward. It's us doing Employment in full with all the other hits as well. That seems like a special enough thing for a special occasion."

Pre-sale for Kaiser Chiefs at Temple Newsam Park is open now with general admission on-sale at 9AM on Friday 11th October from this link.

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