NME Festival Guide
2009

NME News

Kings Of Leon slam Reading Festival crowd after headline show

Nathan Followill calls fans 'frozen'

August 29, 2009 | 40 Comments
Kings Of Leon news RSS feed
More Kings Of Leon news, reviews, videos and tour dates
Post this on Twitter or Follow NME

Kings Of Leon's Nathan Followill has slammed the Reading Festival crowd he played a headline show for last night (August 28), describing them as "cold".

The drummer and his band played the first Main Stage headline show of the weekend, but after the set he posted a message on Twitter criticising the fans for giving them a poor reception.

"Reading? What the fuck?" he wrote. "Zero love for the kings. I know it was cold but holy shit, y'all were frozen. I can only hope Leeds is in better form."

Kings Of Leon are set to take to the Main Stage in Leeds tomorrow, while Radiohead will headline tonight.

NME.COM will be coming live from both the Reading And Leeds Festivals sites this weekend (August 28-30). Stay tuned to NME.COM/festivals for news reports, blogs, video interviews and photos from the event.

Get next Wednesday's (September 2) issue of NME for the ultimate Reading And Leeds Festivals review.

Plus have your say on this summer - fill in the annual NME Festival survey now to cast your verdict on 2009, and tell festival chiefs who you want to see next year.

Watch an interview with Kings Of Leon below:

Video courtesy of BBC.co.uk/readingandleeds

Jimmy_Bass

Aug 29, 2009

Its because your Band is bland, and your songs are boring!

acedrums

Aug 29, 2009

Ah that is a shame, the last member of the band whom I thought had some common sense has spoken. It was not the fans fault, the band looked disinterested and bored.

Trent17

Aug 29, 2009

Agree with Jimmy_Bass.This is what happens when you sell out and release bland songs, Kings of Leon are a band for people who don't like music. I bet you 90% of the audience think Sex On Fire was their first single.But you have to laugh, The Kings of Watered-Down Rock are finally realising they suck! they have played a top two spot at British festivals 10 times in the last three years. The 'everywhere' band needs to call it a day.

Millsychops

Aug 29, 2009

After selling out and sucking the commercial cock I dont really give a fuck what you think.Seen you twice in the early days, loved your first 3 albums but ive always thought you were lacking live!

dankift

Aug 29, 2009

At least the fans turned up. unlike the band in benicassim. kings aren't bland though.

bandfodder

Aug 29, 2009

The reception for KOL was more of shock and disbelief at the bands attitude and lack of effort. The crowd was really up for this gig. What a waste by KOL, the gig was crap because they just weren't up for it. Gutted

oughtaknow

Aug 29, 2009

i was once one of the biggest kings of leon fans, in the good old days stretching from 'youth and young manhood' to 'because of the times', but after their latest, i can't help to think they've sold out...and it's really too bad, cause they were amazing in their prime. RIP kings of leon.

ursulalily

Aug 29, 2009

I was there and sang my heart out, unfortunately most of the people around me were absolutely static, and clearly only there for 'sex on fire' and 'use somebody' which was obviously disheartening, they were visibly upset.

Kerplunk1001

Aug 29, 2009

I actually quite like KOL but lost interest a couple of albums ago. I saw them at reading a fews years ago and thought they were one the best sounding bands there but it seems like they are more in love with themselves now than everyone else is with them. The reading crowd will always react to a good set but not a band going through the motions who think they deserve respect purely by default.

steviebluenose

Aug 29, 2009

They have never been good at crowd interaction .... and at a festival that is a fatal mistake ... unless you can play awesome thrashing music .... which unfortunately KOL just cant do any more. Their older stuff was played at a slower pace than the tracks should be played .... and their new stuff is just too slow and commercial .... motto: Dont sell out or you will pay the price !!

kanejb

Aug 29, 2009

Duh! That's what you get when you sell out, what do they expect when with the sucess of Sex On Fire, half of the bloody crowd probably haven't heard molly chambers, or red morning light.

TheMicawbers

Aug 29, 2009

Since when did Matt turn into Matt Lucas? This is really sad. Don't attack your fans people?! From what I've been hearing across the board KOL were disinterested and expected a crowd reaction without putting in the effort. Sorry luv, that ain't how it works! I know Oasis can be a but bland too at times...but I saw them twice and at least they gave a shit.

steviebluenose

Aug 29, 2009

they sold out so they could cash in, and now they might pay the price ...... we want quality not quantity .... so stick to what you started out doing and dont give in to all the commercial opportunities !!!

jorges

Aug 29, 2009

I really dislike this band; hate the vocals, songs and most of all: the hype. Just don't get it

97mde

Aug 29, 2009

Saw them at Wembley last year...AWFUL!!

chrisw_bwfc

Aug 29, 2009

Southern crowd who prefer Dizee Rascal + number 1 single = 'frozen fans'. It's not their fault that their most well received album coincided with the throw away nature of music fans nowadays. How many of the punters at Reading Festival will actually know more than 5 songs by their 'favourite bands'. It seems to me that T In The Park and Glastonbury are the only two major music festivals in the UK not to have been hit by this 'bug'.

Vacant0

Aug 30, 2009

'I bet you 90% of the audience think Sex On Fire was their first single' - I really, really doubt that Trent. 'Sell Out' is an overused and often wrongly used phrase n' all - usually uttered by twats.Still, really shit of them to put in such an apparently lacklusture headlining performance though - haven't bothered to watch any of the Reading coverage thus - not really interested in watching a festival on the television - so can't pass judgement myself anyhow.

AlexAnim8

Aug 30, 2009

Im sorry but whose job is it to entertain who??These people paid Â£170 to be there, and KOL are getting paid hundreds of thousands to play. Who gives a monkeys if Calebs are unhappy, let the crowd do what they want. Its their money!

[[Thanatos]]

Aug 30, 2009

I can only go off what I seen on the TV but they looked mundane and bland, I don't think they have enough decent songs to fill a 90 minute plus set, Faith No More on the other hand looked fantastic, I wish more of their set was showed.Pity they aren't touring the UK.

andydad

Aug 30, 2009

Methinks southern softy teenybop crowd can't take pace and kol got out of wrong side of bed. Wheres your loyalty. you all suck willy

thekillersandthewombats

Aug 30, 2009

yeahh, dont waste your breath on the southern bastard, come up north and you'll get a much better reception.

allanoleary

Aug 31, 2009

I'll admit I went there not knowing much about KoL, but I went in expectation of a great show, and that expectation was increased after the show Kaiser Chiefs put on (not a fan, but they were bloody good). But KoL came on stage already pissed off and it showed. My girlfriend is (was) a fan and she left wishing we'd seen Faith No More (one of my favourite bands from my late teens) instead. My mind was open..... KoL closed it within 30 mins. I'll not attend a festival they play at again, purely so I'm not putting money in their pockets

buddha1975

Aug 31, 2009

hmm, well I was there and have seen them many times before and have to say they never played to the crowd. You might as well of put on a CD and chilled out at home. This was the band everyone there was waiting for and the band never turned up. The guitarist was basically leaning on the speaker smoking and looked totally bored as were the rest of the crowd. They should take a look at how Jack Penate or The Gossip managed to get the crowd going, both of which put on a massive show that will stay with me forever. KOL died on Friday.

tristessa560

Aug 31, 2009

All I can say is that I'm so glad I went to see Faith No More instead. They brought to their healdine slot two major things KOL didn't; great showmanship..and some enthusiasm! Caleb needs to realise that if you don't treat the audience with respect...well, don't expect any back.

rob190

Aug 31, 2009

seriously wtf you judgemental bastards, having just returned from leeds I can tell you what a good and solid performance these fine musicians can put on when the crowd is willing. We had the same shitty weather as those southern fairies but we still made the place shake. All you fuckers belittling this bands material should reserve comment until you manage a number 1 chart single and brit and grammy awards.

rob_m73

Aug 31, 2009

I went to this set with really high expectations. I was a fan because of the new album by I intentionally went out and bought the old stuff and realised how much better it was, so was looking forward to a good show. But the band didn't look like they actually gave a shit. The crowd worked with what they were given which was pretty much nothing. Don't blame the crowd when you're not up to the job of entertaining them. Worst of the headliners by far. Kaiser Chiefs turned out to be better and that's saying something...

a l a n c

Aug 31, 2009

Ignoring the north v. south shite for a moment (If you all love the north so much, by the way, why were there so many Northerners at Reading...? Oh, wait, 'cos it's the original, and your festival's a franchise... ;) ), let's look at the evidence:Radiohead -- I've seen them put in dull, drab, static sets, but they kicked arse at Reading. Marmaduke Duke, directly up against KOL, rocked so loud and hard that my ears rang for hours later, and the crowd there was most definitely not 'frozen'.So, maybe KOL aren't a main stage headline band? The people who said that when they headlined Glasto last year must be pissing themselves laughing now.

carlb1988

Aug 31, 2009

I was there on Friday and I lost my voice singing all (and I mean all) of the songs. I wasn't there for the two big ones that the chavs and dickheads (who ruined this years festival) were there for. But if you have a number one single, expect it to be a big fucking highlight for everyone and don't shake you're head and look ashamed. You could've turned down the Â£2million you probably got paid for it.And speed up the old ones, you're trying to impress the 40+ market too much. Molly's Chamber and The Bucket are supposed to be quick

LizRiley101

Aug 31, 2009

i was at leeds fest and noticed on the line-up there were two other great bands, billy talent and marmadukeduke, playing at the same time as kings of leon. if you don't like "slow and boring" music why not go see them instead? it's rude and pointless to heckle a band to the point of them walking offstage when you don't have to be there.seeing kings of leon was epic for me, even though i only saw half the set to watch billy talent. i say screw the southerners and what they say; leeds will always welcome bands like kings of leon because we know good music when we hear it, and i respect them for being brave enough to come to leeds after the reception at reading.Thank you KOL.

x---e

Aug 31, 2009

doesn't help that we couldn't fucking hear half of it! TURN IT UP.

Branagorn

Aug 31, 2009

I was really torn with what to do at reading. After reading and hearing all about this. Turns out watching Faith No More was the best dicission i ever made. Mike Patton ripped it up!

OhRebecca

Aug 31, 2009

This has really annoyed me! Im a huge fan of Kings Of Leon, I stayed for the whole set and sang my heart out to every single song they sang only to be told to basically 'stick it'. From where i was standing which was quite near the front, the sound quality was terrible, it isnt fair that they have blamed their fans for something that none of us could do anything about. I've lost alot of respect for Kings Of Leon now, which is a shame because i was a huge fan!!

callmedaisy

Aug 31, 2009

its got shit all to do with being from the south.im from the north but went to reading and despite the sound quality and temp, we were still jumping around and shouting our lungs out.we were the ones left going what the fuck! totally agree with bandfodder and buddha1975, lack of respect for everyone who bothered to show up, knowing every lyric or not. was a waste of time, faith no more would have been a better way to end the night.if you dont want to introduce earlier stuff to new crowds, who were quite young, then fuck off to the smaller tents where you and your cliche can stay and not let anyone else in. better still, don't bother at all if you are going to waste peoples hard earned cash

saskia_eloise

Sep 1, 2009

We weren't the ones frozen they were. I saw them at Reading and along with much of the audience was confused when despite the fact that I and loads of the other fans were singing along the band became really angry. I understand that having a couple of very commercially successful singles must be hard, but that was no excuse, I along with thousands of others paid to see them at the festival because we are genuine fans and they just acted really annoyed with audience which is a shame because they played really well. To say that the Leeds crowd was better is lame considering I only started to hear negative responses from the crowd about commercialism and such like when the band started to seem angry. I cheered, screamed and sang along to all of their set and they acted like they didn't care. I'm confused by it. Why were they so annoyed when thousands of us were watching, those who wanted to leave did but the audience was packed and singing and they acted like they didn't appreciate it at all. I was left unsure by Caleb's comments to the crowd but figured he was just a perfectionist, with all the new stuff that has come out I've gotta say that as performers they should be nice to the audience. A couple of years ago they were great at Reading. Yes it was cold. But it is these comments and the bands anger that irritate me, I was singing along even if no one else was-and they were, they should have appreciated that. I was and still am a big fan I'm just confused by the whole thing and i've gotta admit it has put me off.

SomethingForKate

Sep 1, 2009

I was there on Friday for KOL and left Reading before they finished their set. I've since re-watched it on TV and can see just how bored the boys look up there and you ever hear Caleb make a dig at the "cold" audience saying that he "doesn't want to say anything negative".It was just as cold with the same crowd for Kaiser Chiefs who were on right before them and I actually don't like Kaiser Chiefs that much, but they rocked the crowd. They entertained us, made us jump, interacted and ... basically did their job. KOL did not.They were dull, boring and don't like the fact that they've only just become as big as they are now on the back of "Sex On Fire" and the "Only By Night" record.They should be more humble, more interactive and learn that they are paid to entertain the crowd, not the other way around.

plummie2003

Sep 2, 2009

Before Reading I was an absolutely huge fan of KOL, i was out there in a tshirt and shorts and was singing and dancing to EVERY song, as were quite alot of people around me. I am also not a southerner i live way closer to leeds than i do Reading, i go there out of choice and think this whole 'leeds is better than reading' thing is pathetic! Personally i think Caleb was completely out of order to his fans, its certainly not our fault that they happened to get big based on two songs and that yeah there were alot of people there probably just because of sex on fire but that doesnt mean everyone was. i think he's a stuck up arrogant has been and put jack all into their performance and got more of a reception than they deserved. looking back at their performance it was dull and boring. They will certainly have lost fans because of his arrogant comments, i'll deffo never pay to see them again!

misticoot

Sep 2, 2009

seriously any1 that went to leeds cant comment on how good they were there. you werent at reading you wouldnt know!!!the volume was so low i could have a conversation with my mate who was stood 6ft away from me it was ridiculous if they just turned up the volume we would of got into it. it just felt like they were takin the piss why should we cheer an clap when they cant even be bothered to sort out the sound an interact a bit with the audience. i love the music it was perfect but i might as well been listening to it on some crappy ford escort speakers with no bass an a blown speaker. call yourself professional. i expect they sacked the soundman an got a new one for leeds cos by the sounds of it they rocked there!!!!lucky them!

jimmmi

Sep 4, 2009

Kings of Leon, Leeds 09, magic. Think about it people, if the sound was off how is it their fault? They play music they arent sound engineers. Rather than bitchin and moanin about the sound you should have replaced that with some atmosphere and made your own volume! Too many preppy 'fans' with 'sex on fire' set as their ring tone thinking thats their only song by the sounds of things. And one final note, if a global rock band can't be arrogant, who can?

unicron

Sep 7, 2009

It's not without precedent though, I think Caleb vented a similar rant at an American festival recently and there is talk that he is suffering from burn-out. He certainly came across that way.Love the KOL, up until the recent album, like thousands of others it seems. They were tremendous at Reading a couple of years ago, but since then they've patently been dragged into a stylists and they all now look like a manufactured boy band. It seems like THEY know that it's a hollow existence and it's the price of fame, they wanted to break the American market and they had to do it by changing their look. I would hope that it doesn't rest easy on their conscience to be playing the daddy of 'real' festivals must have hit home to them that it hasn't gone unnoticed by proper music fans. I had tickets to the Friday at Reading but ended up being stuck on the M5 for 8 hours and so I missed everything, but I have no doubt that I would have gone to see Billy Talent rather than KOL, and by all accounts I would have been right to have done so.There's going to be a real uprising next year at Reading, way too many manufactured acts on the stage and I can sense a real bout of veg and pi** throwing at some of these acts, it's time to reclaim Reading from the Ronaldo haircut brigade.

PIRATE SAVVY

Sep 19, 2009

I LOVED! KINGS OF LEON at Reading Fest. I was there with my 17 year old daughter. We could'nt get anywhere near the stage before they came on. Working our way through the chavs/picnic chairs. They were on. 3 songs in a group of pissed teens asked "Who are they?" (GROAN) We joined more fans trying to get to the front to support the band. We did'nt have to wait long, some of the crowd were walking/staggering out in droves. The oldies with frost on their 'pack a macks' (good but its too cold) the fancy dress loons tripping over their fur/feathers (no fun here band too serious) the cool crowd running (to other stages and drug dealers) And chavs vomiting. We made it to the front! I heard EVERY song, Saw them, supported them, and I don't give a t**s what the reviews or mixed Reading Fest crowd says! Sod the sound problem (Readings fault) KOL WERE FLAWLESS MUSICIANS. I did'nt need an over the top show! Or Caleb telling jokes to please the crowd! Thats not their style. I went for their music, and thats what I got.