Ever since the release of their fourth studio album ‘Only By The Night’ the Kings Of Leon have become one of the most popular international rock bands of our times. The commercial success of their new album featuring the number one hit Sex on Fire has gained the band a very large fan base worldwide. In Australia alone, it is clear that the King Of Leon are fast becoming the nations favourite international band with sold out shows all over the country - two at the Sydney Entertainment Centre and a third show at Acer Arena.
I have been following the Kings Of Leon since their first album ‘Youth and Young Manhood’ and I am amazed at how these four young men from Nashville, Tennessee have evolved musically from the once shy indie rock misfits into a major mainstream top selling alternate rock band. With some fans jumping on the Kings Of Leon popularity train after the success of new tracks like Sex of Fire and Use Somebody seeing hordes of people packed out in the Sydney Entertainment Centre grandstands made me realise just how popular these four American’s have actually become in such a short time.
For such a big time band in one of Sydney’s larger music venues the stage set up was quite small and modest with the distinct KOL branded drum kit front and centre. At 915pm as the lights faded to darkness there was an instant wave of excitement throughout the crowd as the Followill boys came on stage. With no introductions they went straight into the first track with the haunting echoes and creepy bass line of Closer - my personal favourite of the new record.
It is a well known fact that the Kings Of Leon are not a band that interacts much with the crowd. With no breaks, pause or words the boys just let the music do the talking with the tracks My Party, Molly’s Chambers, and King Of The Rodeo before front man Caleb said ‘Hey we’re the King Of Leon.’
Next on the list was Crawl, Revelry and Red Light Morning and at this point the crowd seemed to be bored. I couldn’t help but think that it may have been the fact that most of the fans were ‘new recruits’ from the commercial success of the latest Kings album. Then all of a sudden the crowd came back to life after Caleb Followill’s quick words ‘Hey guys this is a rock concert so please don’t be shy to sing along if you want too’. After this came big cheers and then the number one track Sex on Fire, which was obviously the song everyone was waiting for.
Hit after hit was to follow taking us to the half way mark with Use Somebody, On Call and the feel good songs Fans, Manhattan and Wasted Time. Slowing the pace down a little with Milk we were now entering the closing of the part of the main set. To finish the show the boys played California Waiting and Taper Jean Girl before bidding the crowd farewell and leaving the stage for a quick rest or drink before the encore.
After a short wait, it was all down to the grand finale of the encore and what better way to end the night by whipping the crowd into a final frenzy with the tracks Knocked Up, Charmer and Slow Night So Long. Before departing the stage altogether front man Caleb Followill confesses to the fans ‘We love Australia and it is one of our favourite places to be. Thank you for supporting us right from the beginning.’ The crowd then cheered and screamed wildly as we saw the backs of Caleb, Nathan, Matthew and Jared walking away until next time.
Coming on from a slow starting evening with a lack of interaction from both the band with the crowd and visa versa it is safe to say that by the end of the night the crowd was buzzing and the Followill boys had warmed up and finally relaxed. As a long time KOL fan, I have to say that is was refreshing to hear all the popular tracks from the new album but even better to hear a vast selection from the back catalogue. No wonder these four young men have become Australia’s most loved rock legends. I’m sure you’ll all agree; Kings Of Leon, you’re welcome back anytime!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)