An extremely belated Kings of Leon ‘Mechanical Bull Tour’ review

All those who know me will know that I am probably one of the biggest Kings of Leon fans. Literally. I rave about them all of the time.

I’ve been lucky enough to have seen this band live twice – the first time for my 18^th two years ago, and the second time on June the 18^th – and I cannot emphasise how amazing they are live. So I thought I would write a quick, brief, belated review just because! This is about their show at the Phones4U Arena on Wednesday June 18^th 2014.

In my opinion, others may differ, KOL sound exactly the same as they do on their recordings. If not better. This I find is essential when you are watching a live band because it really brings the opportunity for artists to showcase their talent. It helps to generate that exciting atmosphere knowing that who you are going to watch, your favourite band/ artist, will put on an amazing show.

They also play songs from all for all of their albums. So even though it’s the Mechanical Bull tour, they still play songs from Youth and Young Manhood, Because of the Times, Come Around Sundown and Only By The Night etc. This makes it relatable for individuals which have followed them from beginning but also allows newer listeners to experience songs and sounds from their other work.

The setup. Let me try a recreate the stage for you from memory. Imagine three elongated screens situated at the back of the stage which are huge! That’s the best measurement I can gage from my memory, huge. These screens show various moving images, colours and lighting to help create a specific atmosphere, which I will touch on a bit later. The visual effects themselves where stunning and it didn’t distract from their performance. It’s very easy to get lost in a sea of moving images, getting absorbed by them rather than enjoying the actual entertainment, but this was not the case. Sticking to mainly light blue, red and gold lighting alongside direct projections of them playing was nothing short of beautiful.

The band themselves stood in a usual band format: drummer at the back, lead singer at the front, and bass guitar and lead guitar either side of the main singer. They were spaced apart quite evenly so you could see all of them individually perform as well as giving them enough room to interact with each other.

So onto the actual performance… Confession: I missed the first song! It always happens to me. I decide to go and get a drink or go to the toilet just as they start. Great timing right!? But I do know that they opened with Charmer from the Because of the times album. A little gutted I missed that… or maybe a lot.

The song that I heard first, was Fans again from their Because of the times album. That was quite simply beautiful. The song itself links directly to the UK and that completely personalises it for me. I genuinely feel elated when they sing the line ‘All of London sing, ‘cause England swings and they sure love the tales I bring’. That we do Caleb, that we do!

Closer. Ohh that song! My favourite one from Only by the Night album. The tones live are AMAZING! The sounds echoing through the arena give me chills every time, and when Caleb starts singing by heart drops a little. I’m fangirling so badly here I know but it’s true! His voice is so raw that you cannot help but be griped by it. The Southern twang also helps create a brilliant rock voice.

However, the highlight of the night for me was when they performed Cold Desert. That was then they really involved the fans and broke the fourth wall. All of the audience were asked to turn on their torches on their phones and hold them up. This was the result:

 

Stunning right! A brilliant tranquil atmosphere to parallel their calming vocals. It was a complete change of dynamic from their previous songs Molly’s Chamber and Four Kicks (gotta love their heavier stuff though!).  

Overall this show was incredible! The only thing that let it down slightly was the amount of queuing for drinks but that’s always going to happen when you see a popular, well-loved band. Their performance more than made up for that anyways!

So Caleb, Nathan, Jared and Matthew Followill, please keep doing what you do! I hope that there will be another tour over the next couple of years because I will one-hundred percent be going to see you again!

For now though I will have to get up and ready because I have zero food in the house and I’m feeling peckish. Will write soon!

Gee x

Back to University! It's all about the house.

It’s official… I love having a house! I have been in my new house for the past week and a half now and I’m starting to get into the swing of things. I’m just about to start my second year studying now so there is no Halls to return too. Although, admittedly, I do miss that place a little bit.

When I was driving down to move in I was so excited. Not the nervous excitement that you have in your first year of University (Fresher’s apprehensiveness), but an overwhelming sense of achievement. I’ve made it this far.

It makes you feel grown up. Having your own keys. It’s like when your parents give you the spare key when you’re younger. That key signifies something much more than just a piece of cut metal. It’s the representative of, not only trust, but the idea that you can do things on your own. The change between a kid and teenager. This is now what it feels like for me. I’m no longer a teen, I’m an adult.

I am fortunate to live with six bubbly, hilarious friends who I met in halls and not a day goes by that I don’t laugh. This makes it for me. Atmosphere in a house is key, and these guys create the best positive kind!

Our house (in the middle of our street…) is not huge, but it’s a generous size. It’s big enough without being over-facing, aka it’s easy to clean!

The bedrooms are a good size and I’ve enjoyed adding those touches to make it feel like home. Photo frames, pillows, books are starting to litter my side tables. It’s comforting. Especially living so far away from my actual home, the photos are the one thing that makes me feel as though my family and home-town friends are with me. I found doing this, creating my own environment, a lot easier than I could do in Halls. I have a little bit more freedom regarding putting things of the wall, like canvases etc.

It’s hard not to miss Halls a little bit though. You're first year of uni is such a special one that there’s so much sentimental value towards that place. Its emotional seeing fresher’s walking into the lobby and thinking “Are they going to my room?” like you owned it in the first place!

The one thing about my old Halls that I miss the most is the location. It was smack-bang in the middle of town so it was easy to get everywhere! The shops, the beach, the clubs, everywhere! We were also lucky enough to have a bus pass to get us to uni and other local places which was the best! But, although there’s a lot more walking involved, I like our house location too.

But I keep getting lost. I swear all of the streets look the same here! I spent half an hour walking around with my friend trying to find our way back… It was originally a five minute walk and I turned it into half an hour… Is that an achievement worthy for my CV? Probably not but I’ll get used to it!

We have a house, an actual house! A house which is a home. It’s not clinical. It’s not too big or too small. It’s warming.

So far this is a good start to the year and I hope that it will only go up from here. Fingers crossed! Enrolment is next week so the hard work begins soon! I will keep you posted.

Gee x

Uni Days – Officially one week until move out day!

Okay, I have officially finished my first year at University. When people said that the first year goes really fast, they weren’t lying! I. Have. Loved. It! So much that today this post is going to tell you my top 10 highlights of University, and suggest something’s that you can do to in order to get a memorable, fun experience:

#1 – FRESHERS! – Ohh if I could replay these two weeks for the rest of my life then I would! It’s a week full of parties, socials and inductions where you get just a taster of your first year at Uni. Clubs do themed nights which are filled with themed fancy dress and games. University’s take this opportunity to introduce the course and activities. But, overall, this is the perfect way to meet loads of new people and make new friends. People say that you make friends for life at University, this I can definitely second! My advice: DON’T MISS OUT! This has definitely been one of the best memories of my life so far, and I’m sure it will be yours as well.

#2 – Your Course - Unlike college/sixth form, you can be super selective when choosing your University course. This will be what you do every week for 3 years so make sure you choose something that you don’t mind waking up to every morning. I’m currently studying Media and I honestly say that I would never change my course. The Units are appropriate for my career choice and are interesting and fun. My advice: Choose wisely! Make sure you pick a course that you enjoy for you’ll get better grades and overall experience that way!

#3 – Your University choice – This is a BIG choice (I know, it took me half a year to figure out where I wanted to go!) but selecting the right Uni is essential. Choose somewhere that you think reflects your personality. That probably sounds odd but its true! Different Uni’s have different atmospheres, courses and mottos so make sure you research a) where the University is located (inner city or rural), b) what the general place looks like and c) what the University specialises in. My advice: Visit the University on an open day, you can gage a full feel of the University that way and ask appropriate questions to your lectures.

#4 – Clubs and Societies – There are so many opportunities to try new things at Uni. Things that you wouldn’t normally think of. This is the time to try them out and get involved! Now this may sounds like a pep talk but I would encourage you to investigate what the University’s offer. Don’t be afraid to try some things out, even if you have never done them before. My advice: Join everything! University’s often have a Fresher’s Fair where you can sign up for any clubs or society’s that you’re interested in. Sign up for everything that you’re interested in, get more information and go try it out! You have nothing to lose! (Except and hour or so!)

#5 – Student Rep and Ambassadors – The perfect way to represent your University and meet new people. Here you get to have a voice and state your opinion/ recommendations of improvement (Rep role) or do tours around campus and help future students decide where they want to go (Ambassador role). It’s good to represent your course and change you whole University experience as well as paving the way for future University students. You could create a legacy! My advice: Take this opportunity, it will improve your University life and others. You will gain a lot of experience!

#6 – Social life outside of University – Cinema, cocktail nights, lunches, bowling you name it! This is a brilliant way to escape halls for an hour or so and a good way to absorb the life of the town/city. My advice: Look at the deals that are available. A lot of places have student nights or discount nights to take those opportunities to do something different. Maybe dedicate a day a month to something that’s unique and that you enjoy doing. My personal favourite is the cinema (I’m such a film fanatic!) but lunches are just as fun and are simple, easy to organise. It’s a great way to socialise.

#7 – Movie Nights – My first year has been full of these! It’s a good way to have a social but cheap, quiet night in. Rent out a film (or get a Netflix/ LoveFilm account because this may well be your lifesaver for that brief time when you have no assignments…), buy some popcorn and grab your pillows and your pj’s. This makes a cute, relaxed night which give you the opportunity to get to know your flatmates. My advice: Don’t be afraid to be the one to organise these events, you will feel better surrounded by people and you will get to have a range of social groups.

#8 – Halls! – Ahhh Halls. I would definitely recommend staying there for the first year of University. You meet lots of people that way. I was really lucky with my halls. I’m surround by a great group of people on my floor and the location is just a 20 minute walk from the town centre. I love the business of the city so this was perfect for me! My advice: Be extremely selective (you will be living here for a year remember that!). Think critically. Where is it located? How many rooms are there? Do you share a bathroom? If so between how many people? These little things can sometimes make or break the accommodation choice.

#9 – Food – Learn how to cook! Simple but very true. I had no idea how to cook before University (I burnt toast… Not a natural chef to say in the least!). You are probably not going to be eating Michelin star courses… You’re on a student budget so you may not be able to get certain foods. Frozen foods are a money-saver but it is important to get some fresh food once in a while so you have a good diet! It may be best to be a part-time vegetarian as well to save money. My advice: Before you start it’s probably best to learn a few set dishes. My favourites = Lasagne, Roasted Veg with Fish Fingers and Salmon salad. Easy, tasty and you can save portions for another day!  

#10 – Never say no to an opportunity – This I cannot stress enough! University will offer trips concerning courses or general social events and it’s essential to not turn these down! Obviously it’s important to consider money and your health for some things but if you can do it feasibly then why not!? Sky-diving, trips abroad, Ski trips, study abroad… DO IT! Take the plunge and go for it! Confidence is key and this is a good way to gain in. My advice: if you can do it, do it!

If I could sum up my first year experience at University in three words then they’d be: amazing, life-changing and perfect. People say that nothing’s perfect, but here I disagree! I would not change one aspect of my first experience at Uni. The friends I’ve made, the social, the course, the Uni - and even the stress of work at times! – have enabled me to get life experience that has made me independent and more confident. I love love LOVE Uni and I can honestly say that it will be strange not being here for three months for summer. The hard work will begin in September, and I say BRING IT ON!

If you have any questions about University then please feel free to comment below. Hope this read helps you decide Uni-wise.

Love

Gee x