Kings Of Leon - Manchester MEN

“I never dreamed we’d play to this many people,” explains charismatic Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill to an adoring crowd, packed into the MEN like a hoard of Woolworths sale vultures to worship their kings.

In a rock world overflowing with over-inflated self-bravado, it’s a refreshingly humble comment from the white cowboy boot-clad leader of the world’s biggest band.

It’s been a meteoric rise to that title for the family foursome from Tennessee since they first hit the scene five years ago with their debut set ‘Youth and Young
Manhood’. Tonight they attract legions of fans, aged everything from 14 to 50 years old, and in terms of box-office value they now stand shoulder to shoulder with super-bands like Oasis, U2 and the Chili Peppers.

Standing there with a stage presence and swagger of a Bolan or Bowie, Caleb F struts to the opening chords of ‘Closer’ that come from the teeth of cousin Followill – it would've put a smile on the face of Hendrix.

As the Nashville quartet effortlessly breeze through tracks from all four albums (whilst drummer Nathan F is sporadically fed cigarette smoke by an attentive
roadie) it soon becomes apparent just how many anthems they have written.

‘Aha Shake Heartbreak’’s ‘The Bucket’ and ‘Four Kicks’ are early highlights as the frenzied bounce from the moshpit spreads through the arena like a tsunami before
Number One hit ‘Sex On Fire’ has the crowd singing in unison.

Their latest single ‘Use Somebody’ nearly blows the roof off, whilst the Tom Petty-esque ‘Molly’s Chambers’ and the hypnotic basslines of ‘Slow Night So Long’ remind the older fans in attendance of just why they fell in love with this band in the first place.

‘Knocked Up’ and ‘Black Thumbnail’ follow in a heartbeat; in fact, it is hard to believe that Caleb’s signature raspy vocals don’t want to pack up for the night and head back to the hotel. But after the predictable and dreary encore palaver ensued, the boys return for their second biggest hit, ‘On Call’.

A royal performance by any standards - long may their reign on the rock throne continue