V Festival Staffordshire
This summer has been the making of Kings of Leon. From promising much in high slots they have finally graduated to headliner status and seem to be revelling in the adulation. That they open with Crawl displays a meaningful intent. Taken from upcoming album Only By The Night it indicates a long overdue confidence; far from banking on the hits it predicts a fair and consistent set, dipping into every album with measured success.
With a sound as tight as their denim jeans My Party simmers amidst tense, mischievous riffs leaving Mollys Chambers to boil over with carnal intensity. However raw and menacing their repertoire may be on record, the real deal is evidently far more thrilling. With all the immorality present in the likes of Wasted Time and brazenly in Sex On Fire, chat is kept to a minimum apart from a few gracious thank y’alls, alas they do seem a coy bunch.
As the set draws to a close frontman Caleb Followill spends time between songs violently swigging down spirits and becoming visibly inebriated, a fact he shyly admits. Yet there is a thoughtful subtlety to the method as his heady tipsiness suits the more raucous songs perfectly. California Waiting shimmers with a joyous decorum and The Bucket almost develops a playful innocence; the band finally seem to be having a bit of fun up there. Despite being the main draw for the time the band remain as casual as playing in their back garden with lead guitarist Matthew Followill nonchalantly lighting up during Knocked Up. One final God bless you remains before a savage rendition of Charmer transcends into Slow Night, So Long. And good night, God Bless.