Kings of Leon live at the 02 Arena, London

Live: Kings of Leon

Verdict: *****

By John Earls, 22/06/2009

02 Arena, London

SIX songs into a blistering gig, the first thing Kings Of Leon singer Caleb Followill says at the band's biggest headlining show is: "It's good to be home."

It's a weird thing for a preacher's son from Tennessee to say in London, but he's got a point.

Us Brits caught on to the band with their first album Youth And Young Manhood in 2003, whereas they only finally became a big noise back home in the States this year.

Over here, they're probably the biggest new rock 'n' roll band to emerge this decade.

Despite a self-confessed reputation as party animals, they've got a strong work ethic. On to their fourth album already, it means there are plenty of hits to keep the crowd enthralled.

The three Followill brothers and their cousin Matthew were a disappointment at last year's British festival shows, but give them an arena's roof and they'll blow it off.

Frills

There's no stage backdrop at all, barely any lightshow and none of the band move about too much, only using a quarter of the vast stage.

Yet they play with such electricity it makes the lack of any frills seem intimate and their songs all the more powerful.

Early punky hits such as Red Morning Light are still performed with the intensity of a young band who are desperate to prove how much they can offer, while the more considered newer songs show how far they've come as musicians.

Tortuous, noodling ballad Cold Desert is the only rotten song, more like cold sick as it drags on in search of a tune.

It's quickly rescued by a storming Use Somebody, while No 1 hit Sex On Fire shows the Kings' secret: Its lyrics are heroically daft, the tune is so OTT it could almost be by Bon Jovi . . . but all the men in the crowd get an injection of testosterone as they roar "Your sex is on fiiiiire!" (The women get even scarier.)

Throw in the mighty Glasvegas as the support band, and the Kings truly rule. Which leaves one question: Really, America, what took you so long?

Your comments

This article has 14 comments

I went to their gig in rotterdam expectin to see a great performance from a hard working band that still needs to prove themselves as heroes of rock. Tonight was a mega, mega let down from a band that needs to learn to respect its fans. Boy I am disappointed. In facted gutted that I wasted my HARD earned money for a band that simply didnt care.

Tonight i throws all kings of leon CDs in the bin because I hurt badly. A band that cares so little about performance well frankly ..... have little future in the industry. KOL RIP.

By fintan. Posted July 3 2009 at 12:32 AM.

I love the other guys have not got to show them but I swear by all that I 1 days
Kol sings in the world ... I love you Caleb ...
the music of the gods are too ta followill not accept the music and they too are other

By hillary. Posted July 2 2009 at 12:55 AM.

Kings of Leon are absolutely superb! Went to see them at Manchester on the 22nd and had such a fantastic time! No fancy frills to the show, but who needs it when you have four gorgeous rock gods in front of you giving it their all!! The crowd was absolutely pumping, loving every minute. The atmosphere was electric!! EVERY song was fantastic, especially Cold Desert!! Cold sick it is most certainly NOT!!!

By Claire. Posted July 1 2009 at 3:49 PM.

Oh my God I feel insulted that you referred to Cold desert as 'Tortuous', and a 'rotten song, more like cold sick as it drags on in search of a tune'. Thats a great song that is hugely popular with the fans. Its genuine and heartfelt, being the only song that was unedited before making the album and being just as touching, if not more, played live!!!

By Caz. Posted July 1 2009 at 12:52 PM.

A disappointment at last years festivals? Did you watch the same festivals as me?
I will see them live thursday night here in Holland and I can't wait!

By maddog. Posted June 30 2009 at 8:56 PM.

Kings of Leon were amazing at V 08 and even better, which I thought wasnt going to be possible, at the O2 on the 15th. Long live the Kings! Cold Desert is an amazing self revealing track that shows the capabilities of, in my opinion, the best band at the moment. The seering honesty and humbleness of the track makes it a poem in its own right.

By Leanda. Posted June 29 2009 at 8:16 PM.

Thank god there finally getting huge here.
Ive loved them for a long time now so Im happy to see them get more popular here.
I love Cold Desert:D

By Nellie. Posted June 29 2009 at 7:54 AM.

I don't know what took us so long, but I know now(:

By lory. Posted June 27 2009 at 4:09 AM.

The three Followill brothers and their cousin Matthew were a disappointment at last year's British festival shows -
What? That's an absolutely unfair comment - did you even see them at any festivals in 08? They never disappoint live.

Tortuous, noodling ballad Cold Desert is the only rotten song, more like cold sick as it drags on in search of a tune -
Again What? Way too harsh! It's certainly not Tortuous or Noodling! Get your ears cleaned out John Earls - you're missing out on the whole vibe of this song.

By saw KOL at Glasto 08 . Posted June 26 2009 at 11:44 PM.

Jesus Christ ... a disappointment at last year's festivals? I disagree with that ... and Cold Desert rotten? ... I've yet to see it played brilliantly live, yet on the album it's quite superb ... some songs don't transfer all that well to a live show... especially considering how it was recorded!!

By JC. Posted June 26 2009 at 8:25 PM.

cold dessert is my fav song by them. i totally get it and understand it . my its a southern thing

By tngirlholly. Posted June 26 2009 at 7:14 PM.

Good article, until you get to cold desert i do not think you understand what the song is about and how it was written ? Failure.
Other wise yes they are the best band, and i was there at the o2 arena,LOVED them =)

By Cory. Posted June 26 2009 at 4:14 PM.

Well by comparing cold desert to cold sick only shows that who ever wrote this article isnt really a fan and know the background to the story and how its such a special and meaningful song.

By kolfan. Posted June 26 2009 at 4:11 PM.

well what can you say? they are the best. not very happy about your comment on cold dessert. it's such an excellent song i don't think many people understand.

By roz buck. Posted June 26 2009 at 2:37 PM.

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