Review: Kings of Leon @ Co-op Live, Manchester
A solid two-hour set exhibiting a consistent string of career-defining hits
Last night (July 10), Kings of Leon graced the Co-op Live stage for the latest stop of their Can We Please Have Fun World Tour. Playing to a devoted Manchester crowd, the Tennessee/Oklahoma natives delivered a set of captivation and confidence from the outset; a great reminder of why they still exist as one of the best-selling bands since their emergence in 1999.
Speaking on BBC’s The One Show in April, frontman Caleb Followill explained that their latest album, sharing the same name as the tour, has “layers and things [they] want to explore” allowing for their latest round of shows to incorporate a new level of theatrics. Such was the case with three large LED lights projecting oftentimes abstract graphics, as well as effective lighting that, when not visually reflecting their heavy rock-and-roll sound, replicated that of an intimate campfire gig with countless hanging bulbs. Better still, having displayed the lyrics to several songs throughout, it was inevitable that this camp-fire feel would heighten.
Opening the set with the first track of the new album, Ballerina Radio, Kings of Leon didn’t shy away from playing their new material with Nothing to Do, Don’t Stop the Bleeding, Mustang, Nowhere to Run, Split Screen, Seen, and Rainbow Ball also appearing. All these moments of the gig solidified the strength of their latest studio effort, indicating that they may become signature songs in future tours.
Still, the familial band provided fans with their fair share of hits with Pyro, Knocked Up, and - of course - Sex on Fire evoking a vibrant sense of escapism, youth, and nostalgia. Though the setlist was meticulous and widespread in relation to the band’s entire discography, certain omitted songs such as Cold Desert and Actual Daydream would have sat nicely, deserving of their own moments.
Followill also took several opportunities to keep the sold-out crowd up to date with the ongoing Euro 2024 semi-final between England and the Netherlands, eventually showing the final score (2-1 to England) on the set screens. Whilst this could have acted as a charming aspect of the concert, it appeared that many fans simultaneously watched the match from their phones with celebrations taking place during the performance. Albeit confident that I sit within the minority, this felt distracting and took away some conviction of fan engagement. The impromptu fan-led rendition of Three Lions was also highly unnecessary.
However, with constant self-assurance, Kings of Leon did not enable this to dilute their demonstration of showmanship and poise, peaking at personal favourite moments with Closer and Milk. The aforementioned Split Screen was also significantly entrancing, and to be left out of any prospective live experiences from the band would be a great shame.
Overall, the Can We Please Have Fun World Tour is an exhilarating showcase of an established rock band who have earned their longevity and recognition. With albums continuing to have great relevance in the mainstream domain with a perfect amalgamation of familiarity and evolution, it would be tough to envisage a world in which Kings of Leon were not at the top of their game.
Setlist
Ballerina Radio
On Call
The Bucket
Taper Jean Girl
Revelry
Nothing to Do
My Party
Sex on Fire
Don’t Stop the Bleeding
Comeback Story
Pyro
Mustang
Molly’s Chambers
Milk
Fans
Back Down South
Nowhere to Run
King of the Rodeo
Wait for Me
Split Screen
The Bandit
Find Me
Closer
Seen
Rainbow Ball (Encore)
Waste a Moment (Encore)
Knocked Up (Encore)
Use Somebody (Encore)
Listen to Kings of Leon’s latest single Nothing to Do here: