It was a cold, misty night in Kansas City. A mass of people descended on the glowing orb of the Sprint Center to see a Rock Band with a capital "R" play spacious rock epics inside said arena. The Rock Band in question gave a high-quality, by-the-book performance with no surprises that surely satisfied fans but might not have won over many new ones.
Now a short background: Kings of Leon is made up of three evangelical preacher's sons and their cousin. They go by their middle names, though why is unclear. They were named Best International Band at this year's Brit Awards, and also took home the Best International Album. Chumbawamba once made a political statement at the Brit Awards by dumping a bucket of ice water on the Labour Party cabinet minister, though why is unclear.
Yes, last night Kings of Leon both looked and played the part of an arena rock band. (Ivan) Nathan Followill, sporting a tank top and a hair-metal haircut, provided relentless percussion. (Michael) Jared Followill, donning a hairdo that would make Pete Wentz jealous, completed the strong rhythm section with smooth, melodic bass lines. Thankfully, I was close enough to see the faces of intense concentration that cousin (Cameron) Matthew Followill made during his reverb-laced guitar solos.
Singer (Anthony) Caleb Followill was here to party, he claimed, to get drunk. This brought cheers from the crowd but I was not convinced, as he only sipped from the red cups that the roadies brought onstage. Anyone really looking to party would have to face down the Sprint Center event staff, who stood 12-strong between the crowd and the stage like the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace. I saw the humorless sentinels carry away one unfortunate crowd-surfer, and push through the crowd to try to nab another. Anyone looking to party in a seat they didn't have tickets for was similarly shown to the door.
The songs from Kings of Leon's most recent album, Only By The Night, were by far the best. They sounded as if they'd been written specifically for this occasion, to be played in a cavernous arena to fog machines and epilepsy-inducing light shows, with thousands of people singing along. The more epic the song, the more I liked it. The chorus of "Sex On Fire" was a perfect sing-a-long moment, though after "YOUR SEX IS ON FIRE!" I'm not sure anyone knew the words.
Songs like "The Bucket" from Aha Shake Heartbreak also had the right balance of energy and precision. There was a lull in the middle of the set when C. Followill took to screaming into microphone with some distortion on it and the songs lost any semblance of tune. The Kings redeemed themselves, though, and I'll be damned if I didn't get goosebumps when the music kicked in and the crowd sang along to "Use Somebody."
Those looking for insight into the songs or a personal connection with the band would be sorely disappointed. C. Followill was generous, however, and thanked the crowd repeatedly for their enthusiasm and support.
But sometimes you see a band and it all clicks: you understand their music in a way that you couldn't through the recordings, and the songs take on a whole new life. This ability to establish a personal connection with the audience is the difference between bands like the Stones or Bruce Springsteen (who have sustained careers that span decades and can still pack stadiums with fans) and bands that go from filling arenas to playing free outdoor shows.
I walked away from the Sprint Center very worried about reviewing this show, as there was absolutely nothing to distinguish the concert from say, listening to the band on the radio: no connection to the crowd, nothing even remotely interesting happening on stage. Kings of Leon has mass appeal and enormous success that very few young rock bands have experienced. Which type of band they will be in five or ten years remains to be seen.
Set List
Crawl
Be Somebody
Taper Jean Girl
Molly's Chambers
Fans
Revelry
I Want You
My Party
Charmer
Four Kicks
The Bucket
Sex on Fire
Notion
Manhattan
On Call
Cold Desert
Slow Night, So Long
Encore
Knocked Up
Use Somebody
Black Thumbnail
The British band White Lies opened up with some nondescript 80s-influenced dance rock that made me wish I was around when bands like Joy Division and the Jesus and Mary Chain were making brilliant new music instead of the watered-down versions of them we have today.
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.....the boys cancelled the rest of the U.S. tour. They resume in Canada. Then on to Europe. No plans to reschedule the U.S. dates. I have followed them from their firsr album. Saw them in Ireland in 04. In KC in 05 At KC sprint center in 09. Had tickets for them outdoors in KC on aug 29th. I understand about them having to cancel. The odds of 4 young dudes in their 20's in a band ......and only 1 needing a little help in 12 years is quite amazing. ........they need to do damage control. They need to reschedule their missed tour dates. I think they're great. But I feel slighted! I can't explain it.....but it does not sit right with me. Maybe it will go away.......maybe it wont!
I really enjoyed the "The Bucket" from Aha Shake Heartbreak. It is really fantastic one to listen.
Yep, I'm jealous, they slept with my girlfriend.
Now run along and buy your tickets to the Taylor Swift concert sheeple.
Dude Abe, I'm going to have to say Nevilles right or in the area. Did they all sleep with her? By the way TERRIBLE review the concert was amazing and I was singing to every song, most of the people there were. I'm big on Because of The Times that's my favorite cd by them and I have to be honest I really didn't like Only By Night when I first heard it. It eventually grew on me and I went and bought it and I have to say it's a wise investment. All of their cds are. For you to criticize just means you're pathetic and jealous of their success.
The only thing at all that is starting to get on my nerves a little bit about KOL is they seem pretty bitter about Americans not taking to their first couple of albums. So they are of course loyal to the UK since the UK went crazy over those first albums. Well its not like there weren't any loyal Americans from the very start. But I guess since there weren't enough American fans to get them major Bank, then they don't care enough about them to group them in with those they are so loyal to. Kinda ticks me off a little b/c I've been there from the start and am American, but it doesn't stop me from being in love with their music in any stretch of the imagination.
i will say that i am 1)a girl, and 2)only heard of kings of leon when use somebody came out. i wasn't fortunate enough to have someone introduce them to me when aha shake heartbreak came out, and i wish i did. i like every single song on both albums. so i am not just some girl who likes the only 2 songs on the radio now. my question is, how is it that if you didn't know who they were when they first came out, you aren't truely a fan? to me that is just silly. fans are fans. i read on some other site from a kol fan that he hopes their future stuff doesn't get played on the radio. ummmmm...hello? thats how they are making money!
Being big in Europe is nothing. David Hasselhoff has #1 albums in Europe.
And yes you can be misogynistic in a positive way. Just like you can be racist in a positive way (e.g. asians are good at math, blacks are good athletes etc.). Saying a band is popular because a few million women like the one or two hit songs isn't negative is it? Even if you interpret it as misogynistic?
I read the review because I read the blog, and because I like to discuss and enlighten people to better music.
Here's a list of bands better than Kings of Leon that no one knows about(with recommended albums):
Cave In (Jupiter)
Torche (Meandrethal)
Black Moth Super Rainbow (Dandelion Gum)
Does it Offend You, Yeah?
Wax Mannequin
The Antlers
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Some of them are big in Europe, and I would still like these bands even if 15,000 women showed up to listen to one hit song.
"Misogynistic in a positive way"... WTF? Is that even... possible? "I dislike and discredit women, but I mean well."
Two years ago Kings of Leon had a number one album in the UK. They've been playing to huge crowds in Europe for years. Do a little homework before you open your mouth, Abe.
Oh, but what do I know? I'm just a girl.
You're so ridiculous Abe. Do you often read reviews of bands you despise? Pretentious much?
No, the band was never credible. I'm just saying that's why they are famous now and play arenas when 2 years ago, no one gave a shit about them. I guess I am being misogynistic in a positive way.
Okay, let me get this straight. According to Abe, a band becomes less credible when females like them? And he says that's not misogynistic.
Somehow I don't think he knows what the word means.
Nice review Gavin! Kings of Leon are fascinating to me, because I unwittingly heard that "Use Somebody" song a million times on the radio where I worked and hated it, until I finally found out it was Kings of Leon and I was like what the? I distinctly remember them being listenable in high school. Makes me wonder: Are Kings of Leon the new Creed? (and will Creed defend their turf, since they're back in the game???)
Jeez Abe, that's too bad, Dude. Which one of the Followills did your girlfriend want to sleep with?
Not misogynistic Bunny, just stating the truth that 90% of their fans are girls who heard their songs on the radio. All the people I know who attended their show (5 or 6) are girls who just started liking them in the past year. Sorry, truth hurts.
And you're right Rebecca, they don't sound like Nickelback. What I did imply was that they are to "indie"(if that's even a genre) what Nickelback is to "hard rock". A watered down, country music fan-friendly version of the genre.
And if screaming into a distorted mic is what gets you going musically, then our country is in worse shape than I thought.
But hey, at least that rescheduled Miley Cyrus concert is coming up this weekend, right?
........this review was crap!.........they were fantastic......I believe the show was almost sold out!...........you should not be aloud to publish your thoughts!
Kings of Leon are like that band Mitch Hedberg used to joke about. You either love 'em or you hate 'em. Or you think they're okay. I'm personally of the third group, though I can sympathize with both sides of the argument.
I saw the Kings at Philips Arena in Atlanta last Friday and they put on one helluva show. We didn't get to hear My Party (the one where C Followill screams into a distorted mic) and I was pretty disappointed since the last time I saw them play that song (in Cincinnati last May) it rocked. I guess it was wasted on you guys. Hopefully they'll play it for us this Friday when I go see them again in Nashville.
I can't imagine a KoL show where the crowd didn't sing along to On Call and Fans or dance in the aisles to Four Kicks or scream right along with Charmer. I'm glad I don't live within driving distance of KC.
This review is horrible. Kings of Leon tore it up last night. If you honestly think their new album is their best, then maybe you shouldn't be writing reviews. Maybe try giving the artist a listen before you attend a concert rather than listening to what's on the radio. I mean c'mon, Use Somebody and Sex On Fire were your favorites? Original. They put on a flawless performance that entertained those who appreciate good music.
This band will be around for a long long time and I look forward to their future success.
I'm sorry, but this band is NOTHING like Nickelback or Hinder. They do not strike me as the type to "sell-out" as the former said bands did. Just b/c they are no longer completely obscure doesn't mean they no longer KICK ASS!
KoL have never had to play state fairs. They've been huge in the UK since 03. I've been a fan since Aha Shake Heartbreak and I've seen them more than half a dozen times over the years and I've yet to see them put on a bad show. I prefer seeing them in smaller venues, but I'm not going to begrudge them their success in the US. It's been a long time coming.
They might not be your cup of tea, but they're here to stay.
By the way, I haven't heard anyone use the term "poser" since 7th grade.
In 5 to 10 years this band will be playing state fairs, flavor of the moment band who sucked the first 3 times they tried to make "music", and sucks even more when there's a media conglomerate behind them.
This band is the result of all the fan-girls getting tired of the Nickelback and Hinder country-rock, listening to a few Modest Mouse hit songs, then all of a sudden *BOOM* Indie-country. Posers.
Hey now, you don't know what was in that red cup. Might've been some real Leon Freon (two parts Jagermeister, one part tequila, one part estrogen tonic).
Too bad White Lies wasn't better. I kind of like their new album, though it does certainly smack of the Cure Division.
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