When Kings of Leon play Dublin next week, the 'heritage rockers' from Tennessee will be out to prove they can stake a claim to the title of world's biggest band, writes Paul Lester
IN MANY WAYS, 2008 has been Kings of Leon's year. The four-piece from Tennessee, who perform at 02 (formerly the Point) in Dublin next Friday, have, over five years, slowly but surely built their way up from a healthy cult following to the arena mega-league. While the White Stripes and the Strokes, those US "heritage rockers" who emerged at around the same time, have failed to capitalise on their early success, Kings of Leon have gone from strength to strength.
Their fourth album, Only By the Night, went to number one on its release in September, while the band's advance concert dates sold out in record time. Here, Kings of Leon are many people's favourite American rock act, with the cartoonish quality of a latter-day ZZ Top. Having debuted at number one in the US with their album, they could soon be vying with Coldplay and U2 for the title of world's biggest band.
They have achieved this escalation through such old-fashioned virtues as hard work, consistency and giving the public what it wants. In so doing, they have appealed to an increasingly broad audience, attracting new converts with each release and tour.
"Converts" is the right word: brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill (fourth member Matthew Followill is their cousin) are the sons of a travelling United Pentecostal Church preacher, while fans express their love for the band with almost religious fervour. One correspondent to the BBC website wrote of a "Biblical performance" after their headline slot at Glastonbury this summer.
But with their southern-fried boogie and pop hooks, their epic sound and spacious, ringing production, they don't just appeal to indie anoraks and music buffs. They have a big female following, drawn to their swagger, charisma and air of hairy degeneracy, typified by their recent hit single, Sex on Fire.
They have the rock'n'roll double-whammy: a reputation for adhering to the sex-and-drugs credo to the letter, as well as a sense that they're in touch with their softer, more spiritual sides. For women who have outgrown Westlife et al, Kings of Leon are the most credible boy-band on the planet, while, for the guys, well, they offer simple rock thrills with a hint of danger. What's not to like?
- Guardianservice
