I must admit that I did not have any heightened expectations entering the show, which only helped to amaze me in the end. My KOL catalog consisted almost entirely of what I played-out from the "Only By The Night" album. The Kings came out to a responsive crowd who stood from the opening music, through the encore, and for many minutes after the band made their final exit. "Slow Night, So Long" opened it all up and I witnessed what seemed to be everyone but me knowing every word to what is now one of my favorite songs. I was blown away. How could this many people know every word and I'd never even heard the song. It was truly something special to witness for a guy who thought he had done his homework.
KOL continued through their first six songs before arriving at "Revelry." By the time they hit "dancing machine" it was like I had forgotten I knew anything by this band. Caleb Followill's voice has a built-in effect that can't be reproduced. Almost reminiscent of the unique sound that Layne Staley gave to Alice in Chains. It's captivating and heart-breaking all at the same time. He puts you in a zone to the point where you can help but listen to every word he says.
"Sex on Fire" and "Use Somebody" are two of those rare singles that you still die to hear, even though they've been played so many times on the radio and television. In my opinion, crowd participation hit an all-time high on these two, as it was obvious that both the early fans and more recent additions seemed to come together to belt it out. The only disappointment I can think of is the fact the crowd wasn't allowed to sing the lines on either of these as Caleb could have easily backed away from the microphone and let 2,000+ finish either chorus for him.
To end the normal set, KOL pulled "Trani" out of the bag. Thank you, KOL. I had never heard the song before that moment, but watching those lifelong fans' excitement build as the song built was truly amazing to me. And the song really is a show of it's own. Has to be Top 3 of every KOL song out there on almost every list compiled.
The encore was one great song after another, with KOL actually extending it out to a FOUR song encore. Unheard of from concerts I've been to in the past. "Knocked Up," an amazing version of "Manhattan," "Charmer," and "Black Thumbnail" were able to end the night exactly as it began.
Overall, it was one of the best live shows I've ever been to and I didn't even realize it until a couple of days later when I listened to the songs I wasn't familiar with. If you listen to a KOL album, you hear a whole slew of effects that you figure can't be pulled off live. But these songs sound BETTER live with all the same effects thrown in!
I can't imagine what it must have been like to see the Stones in their heyday or see the Beatles at Shea in 1965 when their popularity was at an all-time high. But to witness Kings of Leon at this stage in their careers, in what is certainly either their musical pinnacle or the beginning of their march towards it, may very well be the equivalent for the music of this decade. I know that may seem like a giant leap and just part of the "afterglow" of seeing them live, but for what it's worth take a minute to think of where true rock music is right now. Is it housed up in some Canadian penthouse with Nickelback, waiting for an e-mail from Mutt Lange to deliver their next hit? Is it texting "IDOL3" to Daughtry, hanging outside that same Canadian penthouse waiting to produce whatever Nickelback doesn't like? Is it trying to create jingles disguised as "rock operas" like Green Day? Or is it bands like the Foo Fighters, busting their ass on the road and making a sound all their own to the point you never have to question, "Who sings this?". I'll go with the latter. And I'll put the Kings right next to them. Not behind them, right next to them . . . with the ability to inch forward.
1 comment:
unbelievable post...i saw them last night and i still have the chills.
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