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 18th two years ago, and the second time on
June the 18th – 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 18th 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
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