Kings Of Leon in 2005?

[VCK]

I wasn't there to witness their (from all reports) magnificent performance in 2007 but I saw KOL at my first ever Leeds in 2005, when they were second from top before the Foos, (ironically back then I thought they weren't big enough for that slot!) and I still rank it up there amongst my favourite Leeds festival performances. I remember it was just getting dark and their music just fit the atmosphere just perfectly. They rolled out Aha Shake Heartbreak classic after Youth And Young Manhood classic and, unlike the KOL of today would be, they were humbled by the size of the crowd.

THAT was the real Kings Of Leon to me. Not this teenybopper-appealing, arrogant, tantrum throwing pop band but a down-to-earth, slightly enigmatic Rock And Roll band who didn't feel the need for any fancy backdrops or big screens behind them. A group who genuinely appreciated the crowd they were playing to and didn't throw their toys out of the pram if they didn't get a Prodigy/RATM-style reaction from the crowd. And last but not least, they were a much stronger live band than they are now, going by the two times I've seen them at Leeds.

Anyway, I made this topic, not to bitch about KOL becoming popular (I quite like some of the songs on Only By The Night) but because their headline performance this year and their set in 2007 get mentioned a lot but I hardly see anyone discuss their amazing show way back in '05. And I also made it so we can reminisce about a great performance.

Edited November 10, 2009 by VCK

[rexclark]

Think I went to see Arcade Fire and Babyshambles. Really enjoyed both of them so can't say I was that bothered about KOL.

[spwan-of-the-devil]

They were Great headlining V Fest second stage in 2004.. What i saw of them after that mighty muse performance..

[Shanndy]

I saw them at Leeds Fest in 2005 and thought they were magnificent.

I remember witnessing Red Morning Light from high up one one of those mad fairground rides.

Happy days.

[halfpint]

I saw them at Leeds Fest in 2005 and thought they were magnificent.

[thomasowen]

I wasn't there to witness their (from all reports) magnificent performance in 2007 but I saw KOL at my first ever Leeds in 2005, when they were second from top before the Foos, (ironically back then I thought they weren't big enough for that slot!) and I still rank it up there amongst my favourite Leeds festival performances. I remember it was just getting dark and their music just fit the atmosphere just perfectly. They rolled out Aha Shake Heartbreak classic after Youth And Young Manhood classic and, unlike the KOL of today would be, they were humbled by the size of the crowd.

THAT was the real Kings Of Leon to me. Not this teenybopper-appealing, arrogant, tantrum throwing pop band but a down-to-earth, slightly enigmatic Rock And Roll band who didn't feel the need for any fancy backdrops or big screens behind them. A group who genuinely appreciated the crowd they were playing to and didn't throw their toys out of the pram if they didn't get a Prodigy/RATM-style reaction from the crowd. And last but not least, they were a much stronger live band than they are now, going by the two times I've seen them at Leeds.

Anyway, I made this topic, not to bitch about KOL becoming popular (I quite like some of the songs on Only By The Night) but because their headline performance this year and their set in 2007 get mentioned a lot but I hardly see anyone discuss their amazing show way back in '05. And I also made it so we can reminisce about a great performance.

[DaveElNino]

I caught the end of their 2005 set at Leeds, but I know that I was wandering round in a complete and utter daze after being about third from the barrier for Arcade Fire's amazing set in the Radio 1 Tent.

[luckysalt]

I caught them at Reading 2005 but I thought they were a bit dull to be honest, I too had just came from the tent watching Arcade Fire, and they had blew me away.

That was the first time I had seen KOL, Ive now seen them 5 times, and I bet it wasn't that bad a performance, just timing I guess. That year had an amazing line up.

[Lithium05]

I can't remember who I was watching, but it wasn't KOL. Did catch them in 07 and thought they were dull, but they're not really my thing anyway.

[Im_in_a_tent]

I can't remember who I was watching, but it wasn't KOL. Did catch them in 07 and thought they were dull, but they're not really my thing anyway.

[rexclark]

I caught the end of their 2005 set at Leeds, but I know that I was wandering round in a complete and utter daze after being about third from the barrier for Arcade Fire's amazing set in the Radio 1 Tent.

[rivalschools.price]

i thought kings of leon were awesome in 2005.quite enjoyed them in 2007 as well,missed them in 2009 as they clashed with faith no more but it sounds like i missed their worst reading performance.

[deegs]

I agree with you VCK, around that time I think KOL were at there best, 2007 was also great, but 2009 compared to those 2 performances, was just shambolic!

[VCK]

Most people who saw them at Leeds said they were amazing. Their on-stage persona has always been laid back so I wasn't expecting something like the Prodigy. But they just lacked presence. Not as bad as Arctics, mind you, but it wasn't a performance that would make bands who know how to headline festivals like Radiohead, Metallica, Rage, Foo Fighters, Blur or Green Day feel jealous.

I'd say they were completely upstaged by Kaiser Chiefs.

[Nineacire]

Nice one, yeah they are apparently amazing live

I had to flip a coin at V Festival a few years ago and choose between Muse and Kings Of Leon. I chose Muse back then, my mate saw Kings Of Leon and we both said how good each one was. If I had to make a choice again today Id probably go see KoL though.

[MEGABOWL]

I should say in the bands defence that I saw them at leeds and they could not have been more humble or down to earth. I had never seen a band thank the audience as much (both the leeds audience and the UK fanbase) and at several points they seemed quite overwhelmed by the support. It wasn't until I got back that I heard about what had gone down in Reading, and that band couldn't have been more different to the one that seemed so warm at Leeds.

Also I thought their stage show was quite subtle and simple compared to most big rock bands I've seen at Leeds, certainly an improvement on their early shows (including from what I've heard their 05 show) where the main complaint was the band seemed scared, huddled really close together and didn't comunicate with the crowd.

Overall they were better (just) this year than they were in 07.