It has to be said that the Kings Of Leon are by far my favourite American band of the last few years. The first time I saw them was at Nottingham Rock City and had just released their debut album, back then they were a scruffy affair, with long hair and beards with dregs of moonshine glistening from within. The gig was monumental for a younger me, this album was the soundtrack to summer 2003. The gig itself was in a fucking freezing December night - not having any way of getting home didn't trouble myself or my companion, they were going to "rough it" in Nottingham city center until the first train home.
Of course, the fact remains that having been in the pub all day until the gig this seemed like a good idea, later - after the memories of the gig faded away, it dawned just how stupid it was. Fortunately we got a lift home by some people we met, how fortunate.
Now three albums in, and a trip to the barbers (not me, kings of leon) it was time to see them again. The venue is a strange place - it claims itself as an "arena" but is more like a 5-a-side football pitch.
Firstly, the support band "Manchester Orchestra" are neither an orchestra or indeed from manchester (somewhere in the USA, atlanta I think). However, credit is due that they managed to capture the damp, dull and overcast nature of the famous city in every single one of their songs. I have seen many many bands since I started going to gigs, but a band - either headliner or support has never made me yawn, until now. I usually try and give any band / artist a chance before turning my muso back on them, but with the loud / quiet formula given for each of their songs it was hard not to be critical, they all sounded identical.
Very dull indeed, most of the punters seemed to agree by the sound of heckels and booing. Oh yeah, the frontman had a beanie hat on too, which was a mistake.
So, KOL - The set itself was good, most, if not all of the new songs translated well into a live performance, although - the new album being their weakest (but still good) I would have liked some of the new stuff replaced with favourite tracks of old. A mixed bag in terms of the crowd. Typically dressed indie kids who have far too good hair cuts to be real, 40-stone bikers with beards the size of neptune and shaved cunts in rugby shirts.
The only thing that has to be said - and this goes for every single gig I have been to in Hull, is that the crowd are complete wankers. You always get arseholes at gigs. I'm sure in my time as a 19 year old tanked-up idlewild fan I pissed off many a punter with jumping around like a twat and spilling beer on people - but the fact remains, that always in Hull - the gig goes who are causing the trouble are pilled up 30-somethings with shaved heads.
So yeah, the gig was good - despite the crowd. But then again, I always find something to bitch about, maybe it's just me....
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