PHOTO CREDIT: ANDREW KAHN

Kings of Leon put on a fast paced and highly energetic show in front of a two-thirds full Bradley Center in Milwaukee last Saturday night. It’s too bad those in attendance seemed to miss it as most reacted almost exclusively to the singles from the band’s 2008 release Only by the Night and basically shoe gazed when past hits were played. This made for an odd atmosphere in a building that seemed a little too big for the group.

Lead singer Caleb Followill boasted the next time they play at the Bradley Center it will be sold out. On this Saturday, September 26, the upper deck was mostly unopened and the floor was barely more than half full. If Caleb Followill does make good on his promise, I hope it’s not filled simply with more people willing to drop $60 to see them play the two songs they know from the radio.

Over the past few years, Kings of Leon have been booked in a slightly larger clubs as their popularity increased, but their sudden jump to arenaa seems premature. A lot of the intimacy and intensity was missing, and in its place was an impressive stage design complete with LCD light panels and overhead video screens.

PHOTO CREDIT: ANDREW KAHN

Most of the show focused on songs from Only by the Nightvand 2007’s Because of the Times. They ripped through 10 songs in under an hour, sprinkling in “King of the Rodeo” and “Taper Jean Girl” from 2005’s Aha Shake Heartbeat. Following that was the band’s most recognizable song “Molly’s Chamber” from their 2003 debut Youth and Young Manhood one of only two times they pulled from that record. The crowd finally reacted positively to this song having lost attention during the previous section of pre-2007 songs.

Lead guitarist Matthew Followill and Caleb Fallowill strapped on acoustic guitars for the slowed down “Fans” and kept the mid-set subdued pace with “Revelry” and “I Want You.” This gave the audience, at least those paying attention, a chance to take a breather after the frenetically paced outset.

What followed next was the “hits” portion of the evening, with back to back number one singles from Only by the Night “Sex on Fire” and “Notion.” I honestly expected half of those gathered to leave when they finished “Notion.” It certainly appeared that most people there came to hear these two songs.

Apparently all of the members of the band were fighting off illness including drummer Nathan Followill and bassist Jared Followill. Caleb Fallowill could be seen blowing his nose in between songs and commented a couple of times on the weakness of his voice. To their credit, outside of Caleb’s remarks, their apparent illness did not otherwise impair the performance.

PHOTO CREDIT: ANDREW KAHN

The rest of the nearly two-hour long set  included most of the songs off of Only by the Night, highlighted by the encore opening “Closer” and their other number one single “Use Somebody.”

The intimacy and attentiveness that was present during Kings of Leon’s club era was somewhat lost from within the cavernous Bradley Center, but the raw energy and passion remained strong throughout the solid performance.