One could argue that is on the short list of best American rock bands of the past quarter century. The band’s first four albums, released between 2003 and 2008, stand up to the first four offerings from any of their contemporaries of the era. Their more recent releases, while not as dense with instant classics, also include enough moments of inspiration to easily fill a two-hour concert.
And for the most part, Kings of Leon did just that during a 27-song set Saturday night at Dickies Arena. The band’s third stop on their “Can We Please Have Fun” tour, which started Wednesday in Austin and concludes on Oct. 7 in Boston, is in support of their of the same name released in May.
The band, including brothers Caleb, Jared, and Nathan Followill and cousin Matthew Followill, plus touring backing musicians Liam O’Neil (keyboards and percussion) and Timothy Deaux (rhythm guitar, keyboards, and percussion), sounded tight and precise. Singer Caleb Followill’s voice was strong and raspy in all the best ways. He and his bandmates looked thin and healthy after surviving a decade-plus of living the rock and roll lifestyle to the hilt and all that entails.
The two-hour set seemed a tad staid, however, especially with a celebratory theme such as “Can We Please Have Fun.” Yes, please, let’s have more fun. Let’s start with a better-organized setlist and loosen up a little, boys.
Your stationary stage presence was fine in 2003 when you were blowing The Strokes off the stage in.