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New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Chris Elwell-Sutton's rating
Reader rating
Description: The hairy garage-rockers play tracks from their latest album, Because Of The Times.
Phone: 0870150 0444
Caleb Followill exuded the sort of static intensity that made him seem at times rather like a young Lemmy
A sold-out Astoria crowd were unequivocal in their appreciation of an authentically earsplitting display of heavy rock.
Kings of Leon consists of the three Followill brothers - Caleb on vocals, Jared on bass, Nathan on drums - alongside their 22-year-old cousin Matthew Followill on lead guitar.
The brothers spent their childhoods touring the Deep South with their father, Leon, a travelling Pentecostal preacher, before forming a country and western group as teenagers, performing at southern rodeos.
Although they're hip, sophisticated members of the garage rock scene who probably spend a great deal of time in New York bars frequented entirely by very thin people in vintage T-shirts, their unorthodox upbringing has left them with a noticeable legacy of Southern politeness and country guitar sensibilities that sat endearingly alongside a hard rocking sound that was cool without being ironic.
Not surprisingly, their anthemic 2003 hit Molly's Chambers was one of the show's highpoints, the band rendering the song's complex guitar work completely faithfully, undaunted by the number of fans being pulled over the front barrier by security as sweaty mayhem unfolded in front of them.
Darting though their back catalogue, they showed off their musicianship at a variety of tempos, the slow, epic-sounding On Call being particularly effective.
New album tracks were recognised immediately by the clued-up fans and energy levels were kept high throughout, thanks to tight drums and a forceful guitar-based assault that was marred in part by the slightly tinny sound quality and occasional over-use of the distortion pedals .
Caleb didn't leap around the stage, but nonetheless exuded the sort of static intensity that made him seem at times rather like a young Lemmy as he tilted his head back and roared, his long hair falling over his denim waistcoat.
It's hard to believe that, having just released their third critically acclaimed album, Kings of Leon have yet to score a major hit in their homeland.
Well it's the Americans' loss. Over here, it's a very different story, as the crowd made clear, showering their heroes with rowdy love in recognition of a job well done.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
This gig was absolutely brilliant. I had seen them before but getting to see them in a venue as good as the Astoria was brilliant. Loved hearing Molly's Chamber and other tracks of the latest album. Hoe they'll come back and play again soon.
- Samantha, East London
