Live Review: Kings of Leon

Live Review: Kings of Leon

Kings of Leon play like royalty but stand around like bumpkins: Aidin Vaziri | This time last month, Kings of Leon were just coming off a national tour as the supporting act for U2. You'd think watching one of the most powerful, passionate live bands on the planet night after night would have made an impression on the young Southern rock quartet. If so, you'd be dead wrong. Kicking off the first of three shows with the Secret Machines at the Fillmore on Monday, however, the audience found a half-empty room and four skinny men who seemed far too inconvenienced by the prospect of actually entertaining a crowd. Yes, front man Caleb Followill did shuffle his feet a bit for the first few songs but then seemed to lose all interest until the very end of the two- hour set, when he slammed his microphone stand down, almost bludgeoning a bouncer. Guitarist Matthew Followill and bassist Jared Followill successfully incorporated their smoke breaks into the show. Drummer Nathan Followill, meanwhile, occupied himself with a mouthful of gum and blowing the occasional bubble. The trouble is, the band's two albums so far -- 2003's "Youth & Young Manhood" and last year's "Aha Shake Heartbreak" -- are some of the best, most exhilarating releases in recent memory, brimming with filthy guitar licks, big honking choruses and precisely dropped bursts of cowbell. Forget Africa, Bono. Your work's still not done here.