Kaiser Chiefs mulling Luton song to match Coldplay

Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson has joked that Coldplay "made it hard" for other bands visiting Luton by setting a precedent for writing songs about the town.

Chris Martin's band performed Orange, a song dedicated to Luton, when they played Radio 1's Big Weekend there in 2024.

Kaiser Chiefs are due to headline Party in the Park, a concert marking 150 years of Luton as a borough.

Wilson told BBC Three Counties Radio: "He makes it hard for the rest of [us]... I could sing 'Luton, Luton, Luton, Luton' instead of Ruby, but then they wouldn't get Ruby."

The singer joked he would write a song for the town on one condition: "If they reduce the stop-off fee at the airport, then I'll do it.

"Ten quid the other day just for two minutes dropping my wife off, 10 quid!"

London Luton Airport responded: "Before writing his song about Luton, we should point out that Ricky could have parked free of charge for up to two hours in our long-stay car park.

"Next time he visits London Luton Airport I predict he'll choose the right lot".

The concert will take place at Stockwood Park, the same location as Radio 1's Big Weekend, on 12 September.

The Feeling and The Hoosiers will also play, alongside local acts JW Paris and Olivia Lynn, while Radio 1 presenters and University of Bedfordshire alumni Rickie Haywood-Williams and Melvin Odoom will DJ.

Wilson said Kaiser Chiefs' guitarist had also studied at the university and, having learned to use surveying poles in local streets, he "knows his way around" Luton.

Asked what he hoped to do while in the town, Wilson said he wanted to try local food after his wife recommended Luton-founded Chicken George as the "best chicken in the country".

The frontman pledged to the Luton audience: "We are the Kaiser Chiefs and we will not let you down."

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