Like most people I hadn't heard of Kings of Leon until late 2008 with their hit single "Sex on Fire". At first I thought it was something of the late 80s era of Journey or Bon Jovi, and was confused on why it was playing on virtually every station that winter. When a friend informed me that Kings of Leon was a "new" band and that "Sex on Fire" was about "/The head while I'm driving/" I was more than a little intrigued at who this band was.
Kings of Leon formed in Nashville, Tennessee back in 1999 with brothers Caleb Followill, Nathan Followill, Jared Followill, and cousin Matthew Followill, with the influence of southern rock being found in the gruff of lead singer Caleb's voice as well as the simple guitar riffs. At their best, the band sounds like the epic stadium ballads of U2 and at their worst, sound like listless and dull Coldplay, only with a harder edge and less joy. Needless to say, they're on repeat on my iPod for driving solo or homework or dinner parties, but I was rather hesitant on how well they could play an energized show in Chula Vista, California on Friday night.
As I walked up to my lawn seats I was worried that The Cricket Wireless Amphitheater, with its cheap plastic appeal and a short walk to a water slide park, would affect a rock performance. I didn't foresee the smashing of guitars, that was for sure. Looking around I'd say a good 90% of the crowd were well dressed Caucasian thirtysomethings who appeared to be more excited about drinking beers with pals than watching the band play. Regardless, I was bubbling with excitement as the lights dimmed and Kings of Leon walked on stage to much applause.
They opened with "Crawl", a midtempo song which showcases Caleb Followill's grit of voice and lyrics about the crucified USA and the abused population. Kings of Leon often have high-charged lyrics about good things lost, late nights, and hope, though frequently their melodies overpower their lyrics, resulting in more of a mood, a sort of aura of a smoky bar in the dead of night, rather than a message.
The band slipped in a few songs in a row without pause, including fan favorite "My Party" about the coming of age and a girl who finally notices him. As the happy crowd, at nearly full capacity in the 20,000 seating for the Amphitheater, sang along with their beers in tow it was obvious that this band has a loyal following, though definitely not to any loud decibel as one might expect at a rock show.
The band was on point with "Sex on Fire", which got a healthy round of applause despite the lifeless, near obligatory attitude of the band when it started, and "Manhattan" was equally as enjoyable with its intricate bass sound and upbeat lyrics like "We're gonna fuel the fire/ gonna to stoke it up/ We're gonna sip this wine/ and pass the cup/ who needs avenues/ who needs reservoirs/going to show this town/ how to kiss these stars".
While Kings of Leon played their songs flawlessly, there was no momentum by the band, no walking around the stage, no storytelling of the songs or the tour, no enthusiasm before, during, or after each song--as if each song was mandatory and unloved. I couldn't help but wonder if a teenager on vicodin could have done a more stimulating performance on Rock Band.
It was apparent that the most popular songs were the ones from their latest album Only By The Night, with favorites like "Be Somebody" and "On Call" sparking some singing along and dancing in the crowd. Kings of Leon addressed the audience a handful of times thanking everyone for coming out, but it seemed begrudgingly. Some of the best concerts I've been to have had zero to none special effects, but Kings of Leon's special effects of the black-on-white video feed on the Jumbo Trone and the occasional lights panning over the crowd seemed more like cheap tricks than fun playful gimmicks.
At least the music was good. Despite the morose stance of the band, songs like "Notion" with its good vibes and rock-heavy sound of loud guitar, weepy keys, and that hard gravel voice inspired some swaying and emotion from the crowd--myself included.
Kings of Leon came back for their encore playing their massive hit "Use Somebody", which sounded just as beautifully epic in person as it does in an iPod, though you couldn't get that impression by looking at the passionless band playing the song. In the end, perhaps that's the issue with Kings of Leon: their music is epic but the band is meek. I want a band that puts every damn emotion into a rock song. I want a band that talks to the crowd and taunts the rules of the amphitheater. I want a band that understands that a rock show, even a mild quiet rock show, deserves some grit and boast. I should have gone to Coldplay instead
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Drunkenly swaying down the sidewalk from one jumping club to the next, plans of post-college came up in conversation once more. Though unlike most conversations of late it did not revolve around law school, grad school, or Hollywood, but instead a more more appealing form of a diploma: Christian Louboutin shoes.
As we walked along the streets of Scottsdale my roommate Sarah and I sighed in want of such a pair. My Friend In The Purple Dress is equally smitten with shoes, though "No one would ever guess that," she said. Looking at my own closet I know exactly what she means by that.
