Named after their father and grandfather, Tennessee rock band Kings of Leon made their way back to Austin City Limits Music Festival after 13 years. Composed of three brothers and their cousin, the band headlined the T-Mobile stage on Friday with high energy, making for a memorable return to the live music capital of the world.
Before the quartet walked on stage, violins played a short introduction before diving into their first song. A parallel to their return, the band opened with “Comeback Story,” singing “Race isn’t over until the finish line / It’s a comeback story of a lifetime.” Halfway through the song, lead singer Caleb Followill blurted, “How you doing Austin, Texas? We’re Kings of Leon.”
Electric lights shone brighter than hell, the stage lighting up as the band played some of their greatest hits from the 2000s, including “On Call,” off their third studio album. Rocking out in front of a screen displaying “Kings of Leon” in big, red letters, lead guitarist Matthew Followill stood out with a dynamic guitar solo, searing into the middle of the song.
Every first note led to cheers and dancing from festivalgoers, appearing as though most audience members were lifelong fans who knew every song and lyric of the band’s upbeat discography. With each breath and drum beat, fans turned the 20-song set into a nostalgic and emotional sing-along.
Fifteen years after Caleb’s health issues led to their 2011 tour cancellation, the lead singer kept the energy flowing, smiling and seemingly reflecting on the band’s return to Austin.
“Thank you very much,” Caleb said before leading into 2008 track “Revelry.” “It’s been a long time since we’ve been here, it’s so good to be back.”
Screams erupted, the crowd jumping in the air as the band played the first guitar stroke of “Use Somebody,” one of their biggest hits. The chorus urged a cheesing Caleb to aim the microphone at the audience, continuing the sing-along.
“You know that I could use somebody / Someone like you,” followed by the “woah-oh” echoes that left the mouths of audience members.
“We’re gonna play y’all a new song, alright?” Caleb said, strumming light guitar chords easing into “My Whole World” off their upcoming release, O My Beloved. In front of an illuminating sign reading “I’m Grateful Today,” the band sang in harmony, “I’m grateful today for / My whole world.”
Breaking away from their typical acoustic rock repertoire, “My Party” invited headbanging and dancing with Nathan Followill’s heavy background drumming. Like in many rock bands, bass lines can make a song or disappear into the shadows; for Kings of Leon, Jared Followill’s bass notes make the song that much better live.
Closing with another top hit, “Sex on Fire,” which easily became the biggest crowd-pleaser, audience members sang with their hands in the air, riding the emotional rollercoaster that is Kings of Leon.
After more than 10 years, Kings of Leon’s much-awaited return to Austin’s biggest music festival left audience members feeling reminiscent. People say music never ages; for a band that’s been active since 1999, neither does Kings of Leon.
