> Reviews > Reviews 2007 > Kings of Leon

Review by Rob.

Strange venue, Excellent Band .

Arriving at the Dome on time for a change, the first task was to find a parking space. The bloody car park was crammed, and its a big car park. Vehicles were forced to be beached on the grass verges and it looked as if I would have to look elsewhere. However this time my luck was in as someone vacated what must have been the nearest space to the entrance bar the disables ones - result! On meeting the others and entering the venue, the reason for the crowding became apparent. The venue doubles as a leisure centre. Thus we had rock fans queuing behind dads taking their offspring swimming, and the over 50s aerobics class at eight o clock. However badminton was cancelled that night as the gig actually takes place in the sports hall. The venue is pretty much all standing and is one of those short but very wide venues that I love. The only problem is that the entrances are all at one end, resulting in huge crushes at one end and loads of space at the far end for those in the know.

As we were among those in the know we headed down the far end just in time for the Kings of Leon to take their entrance. I was really looking forward to the gig and especially to hearing the new album 'Because of the times' as it has quickly become my favourite of their three. 'Black Thumbnail' the first new song played tonight gets the mosh pit going and when its followed by the best of the patchy second album, 'Taper Jean Girl' and 'King of the Rodeo', everyone is getting down and having a great time. Highlights are many, but for me 'The Bucket' and 'Molly's Chambers' are the ones. They play a decent chunk of the new record, and mix it in with the best of the second album, though a few more tunes from the debut would have been a good idea. The standard of musicianship from the four boys is right on the mark and talking of the guys in the band, they seem to be getting younger with each gig. The guitarist with the hoodie (Matthew?) on stage right looked about 15. Bollocks to Cliff Richard, this Followill clan are the Peter Pans of pop.

There are some quibbles though. The set is short, though I would guess those in the heat of the pit at the front wouldn't say so. They also elect not to play the best song on the new record, opener 'Knocked up' a seven minute epic, quite unlike anything else they have done. Better play it during the summer boys. But these are only minor problems, more than rectified when they encore with the pixies influenced 'Charmer' surely a future single, and the amazing 'Slow night, so long'. Then they are gone (as are most people in the mosh pit) and it would be a nice consolation for them that if they were too hot from all the rocking, they could perhaps go for a cool down in the municipal swimming pool. Wish we could have. Great gig, just play a more traditional venue next time please.

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