Is there any better way to spend a Wednesday night than seeing a killer show at Chicago’s intimate Double Door? WellÖ maybe, but it definitely ranks right up there. I arrived at the venue around 8:45, somehow making it through the Orange level security at the door (or whichever color means that the security guys were dicks), and hung out for a few as the venue slowly began to fill up. Kings Of Leon took the stage a little before 9:30 and immediately launched into “Red Morning Light,” the high-energy first single from the band’s debut full length, Youth And Young Manhood. That song just kills! It definitely set the tone for the rest of their set. A steady flow of concertgoers streamed into the Double Door throughout the first couple of songs, but by the time they broke into “Molly’s Chambers” (about three songs in) the club had filled up quite nicely.
Kings Of Leon actually played every song from their debut EP over the course of the night, including a revamped, more rock oriented version of “California Waiting,” a song that the band had purposely left off of their set list the last time around. A few new songs were played as well that will likely be included on the forthcoming full length, due July 22. Considering that this is only the band’s second real tour, King Of Leon are going to be amazing, and they’re already well on their way. The bass player is only 16 for God sakes. As the Followill clan (the band is made up of three brothers and a cousin) continue to develop their live show and grow collectively as a band, they are going to be unstoppable.
The Coral followed the Kings Of Leon, opening with the first track on their self-titled debut, “Spanish Main.” That short song pretty much set the tone for the majority of their set. The Coral must have some sort of affinity for the sea, because many of their songs sound like the soundtrack to Pirates Of The Caribbean – like drinking songs for one-eyed, peg legged guys that have parrot as their best friend. They are definitely quirky, but the band’s more straight forward rock songs, like “Dreaming Of You” or “Bad Man,” were more up my alley.
