00s rockers confirm 2025 tour to mark 20th anniversary of huge debut album

Kaiser Chiefs have announced a string of huge gigs to celebrate 20 years since their debut album Employment.

The 00s indie rockers burst onto the scene in 2005 when their first LP debuted at number 3, before climbing one spot higher the following year after taking home the rock act, live act and group prizes at the Brit Awards.

Packed with anthemic hits like Oh My God and I Predict A Riot, the album has stood the test of time over the last two decades.

To mark the anniversary, Kaiser Chiefs – led by frontman Ricky Wilson – will be playing some massive outdoor shows, having recently announced a homecoming gig at Leeds’ Temple Newsam Park.

Now they have added a string of outdoor shows at venues including, London’s Alexandra Palace Park, Brighton Beach and Edinburgh Castle.

The run of dates kicks off in Port Talbot on May 23 at In It Together festival in Margam, Wales, and includes appearances at Bristol Sounds, Kendal Calling in the Lake District, and Cornwall’s Boardmasters Festival.

Ricky Wilson and co said: ’20 years ago, a brand new song by a brand new band was released. I Predict A Riot was the start of something really special for some musicians from Leeds.

‘And the album that followed, Employment, changed our lives and has soundtracked the lives of millions of others since 2005. In 2025 we are saluting 20 years of that album and everyone is invited.

‘Come celebrate the 2000s, loving everything less and less and stripey blazers taking over the world. See you all next year.’

They have put together a stacked lineup, with Razorlight, The Cribs, The Coral, We Are Scientists, Hot Wax and Ellur all taking part.

Other bands on the bill will also be celebrating their own 20th anniversaries for special albums.

Oh My God, Kaiser’s first single, hit number 8 in the UK singles chart, with indie classic I Predict A Riot going to 22 in the main charts, and second spot in the indie rankings.

Everyday I Love You Less And Less went in at number 10 (and topped the indie charts), while Modern Way was 11 in the singles chart.

The album as a whole went seven-times platinum, and despite ‘historically’ being focused on the future, the band wanted to celebrate the collection.

‘Very excited to announce our biggest Leeds gig ever. Twenty years since Employment and twenty-three years since we last played at Temple Newsam we are delighted to be back,’ they recently said of the hometown show.

‘Last time we played there (in Parva) we joked we were on after Guns n Roses who had played the previous night so it’s been a long wait to finally actually headline the Park.

‘We are a band that historically always looked forwards but after 20 years of people telling us how important ‘Employment’ is to them and how it soundtracked people’s lives, we felt we had to organise a celebration.’