Post by ticboo on Jun 26, 2009 14:52:32 GMT
City Life review by Lawrence Poole of 23rd June
www.citylife.co.uk/music/rock_pop/reviews/16660_city_embraces_kings_of_leon_s_bluesy_swagger
LISTENING to a local radio station prior to attending the second of bourbon-soaked Tennessee rockers Kings Of Leon’s sold out M.E.N. Arena shows I was amused to hear one ticket-holder attending would be popping his gig-going cherry… at the grand old age of 50.
Leaving aside the sheer absurdity of anybody reaching the half-century mark without yet witnessing a rock concert (or any concert for that matter), it does perfectly encapsulate the wave of mainstream success that has swept the Followill boys to such dizzy heights - even long-in-the-tooth dads are breaking their ducks to see the all-conquering quartet in action.
Yet multi-million selling success - ironically only achieved after they rushed out their fourth LP, Only By The Night, when they bagged a Glastonbury headline slot and needed to beef up their setlist - hasn’t distracted them from the job in hand, namely delivering the kind of scuzzy, soaring blues-driven anthems only bands from the deep south can proffer with any true authenticity.
A down and dirty Crawl kicks things off in traditional fashion as overhead strip lights flicker subtly if slightly menacingly, while 2003 breakthrough smash, Molly’s Chambers, bristles with seedy Nashville juke joint glamour.
Pleasingly, their much-overlooked debut, Youth And Young Manhood, is swiftly returned to too, with an epic rendition of California Waiting – a lost classic if ever there was one.
But it is, somewhat predictably, the rip-roaring opening guitar strains of Sex On Fire – belted out by cousin Matthew, which sends the sweaty, swaying masses into overdrive though.
Risqué
After all, it's largely responsible for selling out shows of this magnitude in the first place – its apparent risqué tale of... ahem… procuring sexual pleasures while driving, seemingly lost on the 16,000 or so who lustily bellow out the chorus (and why would they care anyway? The track is just that good).
Largely monosyllabic throughout the first chunk of the show, one begins to wonder if tour fatigue has started to set in, yet seemingly reinvigorated by the force of the crowd’s response and following a crackling On Call, bearded frontman Caleb finally starts to loosen up a bit.
Quips of “we’ve got a world tour to finish, but perhaps we should get all the fans to join you in Manchester instead!” and “I told last night’s crowd you guys would struggle to match them, but Manchester you have!” seem genuinely heartfelt, his southern drawl earnest, yet endearing.
Now physically drained, his blue vest stretched and in grave danger of turning in into a maxi dress, Caleb and Co depart with the chorus of Use Somebody bouncing around the arena.
Unusually though, there’s no stampede for the exits, in fact I don’t spot a soul vacating their seat at all – the people of Manchester will decide when this show ends it seems.
Message understood, the quartet finally return for a surprisingly lengthy encore of which the majestic and Joshua Tree-esque Knocked Up shines the brightest.
After this, goodness knows what that radio caller is going to do for his second gig.
The past 2 days have been the best of my life. 
being on my own i was able to wait afterwards and was able to see caleb for a split second as he drove past in his car and yes he was chased by about 10 fans but then everyone disappeared and they shut the gates - i guess the others had already gone?? finally, lowri - love your pic so, so sweet xx i'm gonna try to put my pix in the right thread but here's some crowd ones to see if you can spot yourself and to show how absolutely packed the place was! another excellent night, love, love KoL!!!!!
