Australian band Youth Group were an impressive support act and the crowd (though in small numbers at this point) seemed to enjoy their music.
But this noisy mob was here to see Kings of Leon.
As the band stepped onto the stage there was a deafening roar, which seemed to get louder as Caleb (on acoustic guitar) opened up with Black Thumbnail under the heat of the spotlight shining directly on him.
His voice echoed through Festival Hall as the crowd stood to absolute attention. The venue, which is almost a century old and in desperate need for renovation, still lends amazing acoustics, bouncing off every wall and hitting you in the chest like a tonne of bricks.
What followed was a steady stream 20 songs (including the encore) which alternated between the Kings’ three albums; Youth and Young Manhood (Molly’s Chambers, Holy Roller Novocaine), Aha Shake Heartbreak (Taper Jean Girl, King of the Rodeo, Milk, The Bucket, Razz, Four Kicks) and 2007 released Because of the Times (McFearless, Fans, My Party).
But the loudest reception from the crowd was heard in the opening guitar riff of On Call. There wasn’t a single person in the arena who was not singing along the words “I’m on call, to be there” at the top of their lungs or swaying their arms from left to right. It was an incredible sight, and as I was standing second row from the front, I only wish I had captured the intensity in a photograph.
Then, after an hour, it was all over.
Or so we thought.
After a declaration from Caleb that we were the best crowd of the entire tour, the band left the stage, but returned for three final songs; Knocked Up, the crowd pleaser Charmer and finally Slow Night, So Long. Sadly, before I had a chance to slurp the dregs of my water, it was all over.
My memento of the evening is not an imitation t-shirt, which were selling like hot cakes on Peel Street, but a deaf left ear from standing too close to the left speaker.
So my Kings of Leon experience did not last one evening but the rest of the week.
It was worth it.
