Live Review: Kings Of Leon

Four hundred punters jostling on a muddy, soaked field drenched in cold rain on a dismal day, quite thankfully, was the gig that never was when at the 11th hour, concert promoters rescheduled the event for the following day, substituting grey skies for blue and doing justice to Sydney's picture-perfect Harbour Bridge backdrop.

Previously host to the likes of the Foo Fighters, Goat Island, arguably our country's most scenic concert venue, was always going to lend itself to larger than life expectations. Introduced as a “once in a lifetime experience” the Kings Of Leon casually walked on stage to a handful of cheering competition winners. They did not disappoint.

The Tennessee four-piece opened with Supersoaker, the first highly charged track of their latest album, Mechanical Bull, and a somewhat ironic introduction given the days of previous inclement weather. Caleb Followill briefly thanked the crowd, then threw his pick away before launching into The Bucket, which proved there and then that a band used to playing sell-out shows at Madison Square Garden and headlining Glastonbury can enthrall a small audience every bit as much as captivate a large one.

Sitting behind four cymbals and a single tom, and the only one sporting any visible tattoos, drummer Nathan Followill launched the instantly recognisable hi-hat intro of Taper Jean Girl, igniting the crowd as the Kings took us through 20 of their greatest hits spanning across all six albums, Caleb's voice penetrating through a sound system that lent itself to such a level of crispness and clarity that it was a work of perfection in itself.

Halfway through the song, whether intentionally or not, the crowd beat Caleb to the lyrics of Wait For Me, prompting lead guitarist Matthew to survey the crowd, a smile beaming ear to ear.

As an electric was swapped for an acoustic guitar the sun disappeared and day turned into night, as passing Sydney ferry passengers and a moored luxury yacht overhearing Pyro became the latest acquisition to the Kings of Leon fanbase.

A barely noticeable assistant percussionist banging a tambourine on a beer bottle layered their intensity as the band effortlessly played their way through On Call. Tossing another pick into the crowd, the ground now seemed littered with as many guitar picks as empty plastic beer cups.

Signalling the end of the show the smooth Nashville drawl once more echoed across Sydney Harbour. “God bless ya'll and thanks for all you've done for us,” announced Caleb, as modest as he and his band have always been. With a flawless execution that characterised their entire set, Sex On Fire delivered the final knock-out blow. The show now complete – no support, no encore, no matter – tossing one more pick into the crowd, Caleb and his brothers solemnly exited the stage. Behind them stood a crowd in shock and disbelief, mesmerised and transfixed. The Kings Of Leon, in all their regal splendour, delivered a performance that will be talked about for years to come.