On Thursday, August 22nd, Kings of Leon and special guest, Phantogram, treated Los Angeles’ Kia Forum to over three hours of their most defining songs, latest releases, and everything in between.
Promptly at eight o’clock, Phantogram’s Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter joined the stage to play “Don’t Move” off of their 2010, Nightlife, EP; “Run Run Blood” from their 2016, Three, album; and “Mister Impossible” from their 2020, Ceremony, album. Dressed up in a mesh, black bodysuit, the band’s vocalist Sarah Barthel strutted around the stage in a pair of knee-high, black leather boots to match the moody, mod nature of her synthesizer in songs like “Fall In Love”, from their 2016, Voices, album.
Bringing attention to their newest songs, Phantogram’s guitarist, Josh Carter, introduced songs like “All A Mystery” and “Happy Again”. Noting how “Happy Again” had only been released two weeks prior to their show at The Forum, Carter was pleased to announce that this song was being performed live for the second time ever.
To close out, the band revisited fan favorites like “Black Out Days” and “When I’m Small”, before speaking on their gratitude for audience members to tune in and dance to their songs, as well as Kings of Leon for hosting them on their tour.
It was not long until Kings of Leon arrived on stage, performing “Ballerina Radio” off of their new album Can We Please Have Fun, while lights decorated the stage in blue. Addressing the crowd, the band’s frontman, Caleb Followill explained that the band would be working through a long set list, with old and new included. Using that segment to segway into “The Bucket” from their 2005 album, Aha Shake Heartbreak.
Working through “Razz”, from the same album, the band took a moment to recognize the rhythmic effort of Jared Followill on bass and Nathan Followill on drums. Between the running bass line and cymbal clapping on the and-beats, the syncopation executed by the two band members was clean and a true testament to the band’s ability to honor even their older projects. In such an exciting song like this, Caleb Followill kept up on vocals with ease, while a projector displayed the song’s chorus “Razz the kid” so that the crowd could sing along.
From then on, Kings of Leon performed one of their biggest hits, “Sex On Fire” from their 2008 Only By The Night album. In response to this, the stadium erupted into a sea of singing and dancing under strobing red and white stage lights. Once the song had finished, Caleb Followill honored his fans, stating that this was the best crowd he had performed to in Los Angeles.
Taking the time to perform some intimate, acoustic songs, Caleb Followill approached the left side of the stage to play “Revelry” while the entire song’s lyrics were displayed on the screens behind him. To balance out the show, he then played “Milk” to the right side of the stage and explained how he wrote the song while he was staying in Los Angeles. Both heartfelt songs rang out throughout the stadium as the band’s frontman stood closely to the stage’s edge, trying to connect with his fans.
Working back into the ornate instrumentation that supports the band, “Mustang”, “M Television”, and “Pick Up Truck” from their 2010 Come Around Sundown album were performed with exciting guitar solos from their lead guitarist, Matthew Followill. Notably, “Pick Up Truck” was selected to be a one-time performance, implying that it will not be performed again on their tour. Given that it was the band’s only opportunity to perform this classic in their discography, Matthew Followill did not hesitate to absolutely wail out on his guitar.
Closing out the night, the band performed “Back Down South”, “Split Screen”, and “Seen” to pay homage to their southern roots before stepping off stage briefly.
Re-entering the stage for their encore performance, the band opened with “Rainbow Ball” while dropping beach balls down onto the crowd to create sweet and positive vibrations amongst the audience.
To officially close out the night, Kings of Leon played “Use Somebody” as a farewell to their adoring fans, while Caleb Followill held out the microphone to the audience as the crowd chanted along in a call and response.
With an extreme level of appreciation for their fans, Kings of Leon and Phantogram organized an eventful night, proving that both bands hold up to their musical skills, hard work, and dedication for the art of live performance.
Phantogram Setlist
Don’t Move
Fall In Love
All A Mystery
Pedestal
Run Run Blood
Mister Impossible
Happy Again
Answer
Black Out Days
When I’m Small
Kings of Leon Setlist
Ballerina Radio
The Bucket
Waste A Moment
On Call
Manhattan
Actual Daydream
Razz
My Party
Sex On Fire
Revelry
Beautiful War
Nowhere To Run
Pick Up Truck
Pyro
Mustang
Molly’s Chambers
Milk
M Television
Back Down South
Split Screen
Find Me
Closer
Seen
Encore:
Rainbow Ball
Knocked Up
Use Somebody
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