- This is where they keep the band
Where do Kings of Leon go now that they’ve conquered the world? Longtime fans who’ve watched the band grow creatively and commercially over four albums and six years of touring consider the songs that put the band over the top — “Sex on Fire” and “Use Somebody” — a tad sucky. But those are exactly the kind of songs that bring in the frat boys and soccer moms — which, as frontman Caleb Followill recently lamented, is not what the Kings had in mind when they started the band. Then again, filling amphitheaters is pretty nice. So which path will the Kings take on their next album? Supposedly, they went into the studio recently to record a “dark and brooding” record but came out instead with a sunny, beach-ready platter. Is this a sign of artists following their true muse? Or are these commercial concerns subconsciously creeping in? And is their massive summer tour before the album’s release this fall part of their driving work ethic? Or just a shameless cash grab? Based on most of their music and always-impressive live shows, we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. Kings of Leon, with Built to Spill and the Stills play Blossom Music Center at 7 p.m. Tickets: $36.50-$56.50. —Matthew Wilkening
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