Kings of Leon - The Southern Way

So last night I went to see Kings of Leon at MSG. Now I know that this band has been around a while, but I recently got into their music on a car ride down to Virginny with my bestest Jacob. I think the further south of the Mason Dixon Line I got, the more I began to appreciate this southern quartet. I listened to their popular tune Sex on Fire and then forget it – I became obsessed. I got home and was thrilled to find that I had 3 other albums to memorize the words to. And so began my quest to see these boys live. I heard they were playing a show at the Garden, but could not persuade anyone to go with me. The usual suspects had to work or were out of the country, and the others didn’t want to part with the 60 bones or so. I can’t blame them really, but I was bummed. Then Ms. LL walks her way into my life …

Now LL is my dearest friend. She works for MSG Entertainment as a PR maven. I knew this and had some definite work to do. I invited her over after a long day at the office. Wined and dined her with some pre-made rotisserie chicken, rice pilaf, and salad. She supplied the vino, as she is an excellent guest. So I planted the seed and told her about my appreciation for the band and how I HAD to see them. She agreed and said she would try to get tickets. In the meantime I made it my business to send her copies of all their cds. She had to learn the music if we were to have a grand old time.

So LL and I were all set to go – as were the other peeps she was able to secure tickets for. So the morning of the concert LL’s sissy goes into labor and gives birth to baby Evan Champion. Well I saw my plans crumble to the floor. I needed back up, and I needed it fast. With a backup securely in place, LL calls me and says she is making her way back into the city and we are all set for our big night out. Thank the sweet baby jesus.

Several pints later, 7 drunken fools are barreling down to MSG. Some people hate the Garden, I LOVE it. I do and I don’t care. It is not the most intimate of places, but when you have good seats (which we most certainly did), good company, and arena beers, you are good to go. We did not see one moment of the opening band, The Whigs, but I wasn’t there to see them after all, this was all about KOL.

They played a lot of songs from the new album and opened with Crawl, which was uh-mazing. People were really going nutso. Other fan favorites included, Taper Jean Girl, Milk, Four Kicks, The Bucket, Trani, and of course, Sex on Fire. I believe I started crying when they played Cold Desert, but I can’t be sure. It was really unbelievable, but I will say that Caleb the singer is a man of very few words. Not much banter with the crowd, but I can’t complain.

Great show all in all – I would see these guys a million and one times if I could. I woke up this morning hung over, with bruises and cuts, and as one happy lady. Dream fulfilled, I can move on.