Kasabian's secret gig is plane magic! Kasabian have admitted to being "frightened" as they surprised fans by performing aboard a disused Boeing 747 plane. (UK)

When Kasabian announced details of their long-awaited latest tour, we thought they had forgotten about us.

But the lads showed their appreciation for their home town by treating 200 lucky fans to the gig of a lifetime.

Those who won tickets to the secret gig, in an online draw announced just five days ago, were kept in the dark over the weekend, being told only that they had to meet at Leicester City's King Power Stadium at 7pm yesterday.

From there, the excited fans – and the Leicester Mercury – were bussed to the secret location, which the band had promised would be "a cut above the usual plain old venues".

That turned out to be a big hint, as fans realised when they were dropped off at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, where a hollowed-out Boeing 747 provided the venue.

It was a rare chance to see the band – who have been headlining festivals and playing all over Europe ahead of the release of their fourth album, Velociraptor!, later this month – in an intimate setting.

Gig-goers enjoyed a hog roast before watching frontman Tom Meighan, guitarist Serge Pizzorno, bass player Chris Edwards and drummer Ian Matthews perform old favourites and tracks from the new album.

As they boarded the bus still not knowing where they were going, fans said they could not believe their luck.

Alyssa Baxter, 19, from Market Bosworth, said: "I'm really intrigued about where it's going to be held."

Matt Harrel, 23, and Dan Doyle, 21, travelled from Kettering. Matt said: "I got the call to say that I had won on Friday and I was ecstatic." Dan said: "I've never seen them before."

As the bus arrived at Bruntingthorpe, fans were impressed.

Lee and Tara Water, of Sileby, said they were excited.

Lee, 28, said: "I thought it would be held somewhere like Athena, in town, so this is mind blowing.

"Let's just hope it doesn't take off – I'm afraid of flying!"

Tara, 24, said: "This is the first time I have seen them – pretty good for a first gig."

Hollywood actor Stephen Graham, who has starred in films such as the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie and This Is England, was there to see his pals Kasabian.

He said: "I think they're awesome, they're one of my favourite bands in the whole world."

After the band ended on hit single Fire, fans left the plane sweaty but happy.

Wearing a Kasabian t-shirt, Daniel Finnerty, 18, from Sileby, said: "It was mental. I was in the fourth row, so pretty close. It's the best gig I've seen by far, just for the location and atmosphere. It was amazing."

The gig was organised by VEVO, a music video and entertainment platform which allows music to be shared online.

The gig was filmed so that fans who missed out on tickets will be able to watch it online.

Speaking ahead of the gig, guitarist Serge Pizzorno said: "The opportunity to play a show in a Boeing 747 doesn't come along very often and the fact that it's our home town makes this really special for us.

"Our fans are very important to us and so working with VEVO to film the gig is a great opportunity to showcase what will be an incredible show around the country."

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