Rock band Kings of Leon celebrate their latest album release in Houston during the second stop of their current North American tour with support from Phantogram.
On a humid Friday evening, Kings of Leon returned to Houston and made their debut at the infamous Toyota Center. The last time the Grammy-winning band performed on a Houston stage was their RODEOHOUSTON debut in 2019 during spring break. The “Can We Please Have Fun” World Tour began in Austin a couple of days prior, making Houston its second North American stop. As the tour is just getting underway, it was intriguing to see the mesmerizing set they had planned for their Houston return.
Starting off the night was electro-pop / indie-electronic duo Phantogram, which consists of members Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter. The duo began the night with their classic track “Don’t Move,” followed by “Fall In Love” and “Run Run Blood.” After going through a short delay due to technical difficulties, they continued the night with their new single released earlier this year titled “All A Mystery,” in which Barthel praised Carter for his multi-instrumentalist skills. After touching performances of “Pedestal” and “Mister Impossible,” the crowd hyped up for the songs “You Don’t Get Me High Anymore” and “Black Out Days.” From the get-go, Phantogram was a great contender to serve as the opening act of this tour. The duo remain indie staples and get a chance to exemplify their new beginnings after signing with a new label. Even though they didn’t perform their tracks like “When I’m Small” and “Howling at the Moon” as printed on the setlist, their set really got the crowd rolling.
An unexpectedly indie and artsy start to a Kings of Leon experience, frontman Caleb Followill entered the stage solo, while a video of a tape recorder played on the big screens behind him. The guitar intro to the single “Ballerina Radio” was met with cheers that grew louder as the rest of the band joined Caleb on stage. The performance invited fans to sing along, with lyrics being displayed from the song’s pastel music video. Caleb’s vocals were remarkable live; his uniquely distinguished tonality shone with an added glimmer, feeling freer than what is heard on the records. This made sense, given the band’s distinct approach to the new album, away from the pressure of making hits and with intention to “please have fun” as expressed in an interview here.
A long version of “Sex on Fire” electrified the atmosphere, with hundreds of fans singing along, their voices wrapping the air around them. The crowd also resonated with the choruses of “Pyro,” “Back Down South,” “Milk,” and “Find Me.” The energy peaked with “Nowhere to Run,” which includes a lyrical nod to the recent album’s overarching theme. The band even revisited their southern rock roots with “Molly’s Chambers” from their debut album Youth and Manhood, a treat for older fans who were transported back to the 2003 KOL era, complete with long hair and tight jeans. Some fans even sported the classic KOL tee tied to this song, available at the merch booth, which features two cherries in the middle.
A shift to a more youthful, laid-back vibe came with “Rainbow Ball,” where colorful beach balls and free flowing dances spread through the crowd. Only good vibrations at the rainbow ball, indeed, Kings of Leon. The show ended in classic style with “Knocked Up” and “Use Somebody” where the crowd made their final harmonious contributions to the lyrics, swaying their arms side to side in the air while singing in unison.
The night was a celebration of the band’s evolution mixed with a new sense of freedom in their performances. The setlist was a perfect mix of old and new, satisfying both long-time fans and newcomers alike. Houston enjoyed the nostalgia of the classic KOL records and embraced the joyful space offered by the new album Can We Please Have Fun.
I'm a southern bred writer and devoted bike-rider from Mission, Texas. I am known for crafting the finest assortment of playlists for every occasion. I received her Bachelor’s degree in Radio-Television-Film at UT Austin, and I enjoy dabbling in a variety of hobbies and am always down to learn something new. I'm also an ISFJ (Defender Personality) according to 16 Personalities, do what you will with that information.
I'm a full-time music journalist/photographer from Houston, number one Paramore fan and Husky dog owner. I have a B.S in Radio-Television-Film from UT Austin and a M.A in Mass Communications from the University of Houston, which makes me smart! On top of being an avid concert-goer and movie fanatic, I love bonding with others over the power of local music and media.
