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Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Rick Pearson's rating
Reader rating
Reluctant heroes: The Kings of Leon were happier singing than addressing the crowd
Last night, Kings of Leon came to a sold-out O2 Arena to crown a year when they have headlined Glastonbury and scored a number one album with Only By The Night.
To the delight of their record company but disgruntlement of some critics, the Tennessee group (three brothers and a cousin) moved towards a more polished sound for their latest release, with many songs seemingly written with arenas in mind.
Perfect, then, for London’s largest concert venue? Yes and no. Musically, Kings of Leon were fabulous. Closer showcased Caleb Followill’s gravelly vocals, while the rumbling bass and snarling guitars of Crawl prompted mass beer-throwing from the boozy throng (an official sign of approval among the group’s fans). Elsewhere, the punky clamour of Molly’s Chambers harked back to a time when the band drew comparisons to a Southern version to the Strokes.
Yet, as Liam Gallagher would doubtless tell you, it takes more than chords and choruses to command arenas. You need a suitably sized ego to match. Here, Kings of Leon struggled. Despite being the son of a Pentecostal preacher, Followill was a reluctant orator, much more at home hurtling through the band’s back catalogue than addressing the crowd.
On one of the rare occasions that he did, he was quick to show his allegiances. “It’s been a while, London; it’s good to be home,” he said of a city and nation that has embraced the group in a way that their geographical homeland is still reluctant to.
As Sex On Fire raged triumphantly into the night, it sounded like it was the US’s loss, even more so when this was trumped by a raucous version of The Bucket. These songs are big and bold enough for arenas; all that’s left is for the bashful brothers to follow suit.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Kings of Leon absolutely rocked the O2, if you can only pick on their egos you need to get a life, amazing vocals, bass, strings and stage presance.
Im going to see them in San Diego August 19th, bring it on. Oh Oasis sre so old hat.
KOL for ever... AWSOME
- Michaela, Northampton
Why do people in the UK love the Kings of Leon? One reason is they are normal and down to earth, a thousand times more so that the Plunk bros in Oasis. They are also taking us on a journey, they've developed musically into more sophisticated lyrics and tunes. They are not stuck in the past again like Oasis, regurgitating the same stuff. Oasis are as much a formula band as Slade or Status Quo were yet for some reason their lyrics are given some significance beyond their articulation.
Another reason that is often claimed for Oasis, but is actually true of the KOL, is they come from leftfield. The UK was shook from the bottom up by Punk in the late 70s, and there is no going back. We like our bands to have a bit of character - Oasis have 1, KOL have plenty. (So that's reduced your ego 'problem' to nothing). So in the intro loop before the gig, Talking Heads, XTC rubbed shoulders with modern stuff. Their support band has a female drummer, harks back to byegone rock and roll along with a distinct nod to Jesus and Mary Chain. They have substance - form and content - whereas Oasis are all pose (empty vessels make the most noise). They are the ******* children of The Faces and The Velvet Underground filtered through Punk, New Wave (post Punk whatever you want to call it) and all mashed up with Southern sensibilities and a bit of Tom Waits. This music is not product, it belongs to us.
- Tc, London, UK
Kings of Leon let the music and talent speak for it's self.
Why do we want anymore Oasis style egos, they are great the way they
are.
If you know anything about the Kings, Caleb gets stage fright and it's
an achievement for him to sing let alone entertain the crowd.
- Lisa, Shropshire
Not having a huge ego is what makes the Kings of Leon so wicked!! They're an amazing band and Caleb's vocals keep getting better and better. They don't need to be cocky to be an awesome band, their live preformances, kick ass bass and off-the-wall lyrics and vocals have already made them who they are, the world doesn't need a bunch of over-cocky, rich singers. KOL for life.
- May, Ottawa,Canada
Please don't ry and change the Kings of Leon. Soon they will be just the same as very other band if people are constantly trying to get them to conform. So they are a bit awkward, a bit country but we wouldn't change them for the world.
- Dee, Dublin
If the fans love them just the way they are, why are the critics quick to find a reason to knock'em down? Their simplicity is what makes them charming. If Rick Pearson feels that they are lacking ego-wise, he is welcome to hotfoot it to an Oasis gig.
- Naiiome, London, UK
They're all about the music & that is why we love them. I hope it never becomes about ego with them, they're perfect the way they are. They're so humble and really mean it when they thank their fans for making them the Kings. Best live band i've ever seen, always have been and i hope they will remain so. Never wish for them to be anything other than what they are.
- Sally, Lincolnshire
Anyone who has seen Kings of Leon live before will know that they are all about the music, not the chat. Caleb always speaks to the crowd but not much - that's just his way. I don't agree that you need a big ego (a la Liam Gallagher) to command an arena - Kings of Leon's music is strong enough to do that all by it itself.
- Amanda Wilkes, Twickenham
I love the privacy that they have, and the way they hold themselves, i dont want to go see Oasis walk around like they own the place, i went to see amazing music and thats what we all got, a amazing night and i think that most fans will disagree with you, we see the passion in the music and thats why we love them.
- Rob Page, Essex, England
Utterly amazed by lastnights performance!!!!
I do agree with Rick Pearson to a certain extent about them being "reluctant orators" BUT.......... I went for the music, not to be spoken to and even though I paid well over the odds for my ticket (which were excellent by the way) I will indeed book again for next years gig.
Just fantastic thats all I can say, the tunes will be in my head for some time to come!!!!
- Roy Knowles, London
I was there last night and it was awesome...the joint was rockin....they did not stop thoughout the whole set, and whipped us into a frenzy.... I am still on a high.....cheers KOL.
- Button, London
