Serge Pizzorno talks about fronting Kasabian, supporting Liam Gallagher at Knebworth, and going sober before gigs for better focus.
Serge Pizzorno has opened up about becoming Kasabian’s frontman, their support slot for Liam Gallagher at Knebworth, and his decision to stop drinking before gigs.
Kasabian at Knebworth: “It Was Just Insane”
Speaking on The Chris Moyles Show, Serge Pizzorno recalled how nervous he was before hitting the stage on 3rd and 4th June, when Kasabian opened for Liam Gallagher.
“This time last week I was pacing round the hotel. I couldn’t sit still,” he said.
“I texted Liam. He was like, ‘I’m on my bike doing wheelies’. I was like, ‘What’s going on?’”
Serge arrived early to catch Paolo Nutini’s set, which helped calm his nerves.
“It was good to watch Paolo. I’d only seen Knebworth on MTV before, so it helped me get a feel for it.”
“The Size of It Is Hard to Comprehend”
Reflecting on the scale of Knebworth, Serge said:
“It’s massive. Your brain can’t process it. It just gives up. You focus on the front row and hope for the best.”
He called the whole weekend “perfect” and added:
“The weather was great, the crowd was insane, and Liam was in top form. Everything was wonderful.”
From Keith Richards to Mick Jagger
After being congratulated on his performance as Kasabian’s frontman, Serge joked:
“I woke up Keith Richards and went to bed Mick Jagger.”
He also gave a shoutout to his red leopard print outfit, saying:
“That’s my favourite bit—buying new clothes. You need a new outfit every night. This job’s amazing.”
Why Serge Stopped Drinking Before Shows
Asked if he had a drink pre-gig, Serge revealed:
“It’s completely flipped. I used to do half a pint of rum before going on, but now I go on straight.”
He explained that drinking affects his memory for lyrics:
“I can’t have a drink. Lyrics go all over the place.”
Now he stays focused and channels the crowd’s energy:
“It’s like being plugged into a power source. It’s frightening—like stepping into a heavyweight fight.”
Source: Radio X
Photo: Getty