Kings of Leon

The last time I saw the Leon boys I was spinning beneath a glowing Chicago sun, the Grant Park grass giggling against my feet, lightning bolts in my ears. It was the last day of Lollapalooza, a three day party a baseball’s toss from Lake Michigan, and Kings of Leon’s “Molly Chambers” was electrifying the crowd. Oh, I’d seen plenty of other good shows already that weekend: Ben Harper, the Roots, Daft Punk… but this was what I was waiting for. Kings of Leon puts on a rock show.



With dustbowl vocal-cords, slashing guitar licks, and a rhythmical backbone, these four rising stars are carving out their enclave in the chronicles of rock ‘n’ roll. The music has that rare gift of maintaining passionate perfection without losing its badass Southern scraggle.

And it isn’t just hot blooded youngsters or country criminal lovers who have recognized the homespun fire that Kings of Leon brings to their music — after their first album release they were selected by veteran rockers U2 and The Strokes as touring companions. Since those early days (has it been four years already?) the Kings have opened for Bob Dylan and played at music festivals on both sides of the Atlantic. They’re young, they’re blood, and it shows.

Kings of Leon plays tonight at the Iowa Memorial Union, starting at 7: 30 p.m. If you’re looking to join in a mad celebration of life-lust, than here’s luck: Go grab your sweetheart, shanty down to the ballroom, and listen to rock ‘n’ roll scream itself back to life in its newest American incarnation.

Read Claire Lekwa's review in Wednesday's Daily Iowan, and check out an expanded photo slide show on the website www.dailyiowan.com.

— By Mike Joyce