Kings of Leon

After an illness-ridden but mind-blowing performance at Witnness, the Tennesse family of four returned to Dublin this week with an electrifying performance of just under an hour long.

Their headlining set at The Olympia included songs from their debut ‘Youth & Young Manhood’ album and also introduced us to a few new songs. With their southern drawl vocals, jangling guitars, big hair and their mightily tight denim jeans, the crowd are captivated from the start as the Kings of Leon take us on a journey of life on the dusty roads of Oklahoma and Memphis.

They kick off the gig with the fantastic album opener ‘Red Morning Light’ and the crowd dive straight for the mosh pit with delight. The band then lash straight into latest single, ‘Wasted Time’, with the crowd nearly drowning out the band on every lyric. Meanwhile, bass-player Jared Followill struts across the stage Mick Jagger-style, pouts ‘n’ all. All of this much to the delight of the ecstatic crowd. 'Spiral Staircase' goes down an explosive treat, as does 'Joe's Head', during which Caleb gets well into the Christmas spirit and dons himself a Santa hat.

The crowd are well warmed up by the time they play ‘Holly Roller Novocaine’, with Caleb flicking out his second plectrum into the audience. "So you’re in the mood to dance? Let’s fuckin’ dance!" At that moment, they begin to tease us with a brilliant, slowed-down, ‘50s ballad-style rendition of ‘Molly’s Chambers’, before blasting into the original version of the classic song. The Kings finish their set with another dance-friendly tune ‘Happy Alone’.

We were then treated to an encore from the Southerners as they walk back on stage accompanied by well-deserved cans of Heino. Caleb addresses his loyals: "Well, seeing since it’s Christmas ‘n’ all" – They then treat us with another new number, with Jared joining in on vocal duties. This is followed by the final song of the night, 'Trani', where they let their hair down and rock out - the perfect close to an incredible gig.

All hail the Kings!