Saturday 7th March 09 - The Kings Of Lyon At The New Tower Nightclub, Hull (1/2) by Michelle Dee

(1/2), (2/2).

Photography Gallery Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Gallery 3,

After the success of The Beards (2nd HDM Talent Trail 07) and multiple successes with The Riffs (Global Icon TV Winners!, Channel 4's 4unsigned, Radio 1's One Music, Tune Tribe, UK Undiscovered Radio and Live and Unsigned UK) Newly formed Kings Of Lyon KOL tribute band were ready to rock the Saturday night Hull crowd. Described as..."the most astounding, vibrant tribute to the Kings Of Leon, playing the best music of the last four albums from KOL with an energy and quality"...Did the Kings Of Lyon live up to this bold claim?

I arrived at the New Tower Club just after half nine on Saturday evening and there was a sizeable queue going halfway down the street. Previously, I'd been in Queens and a certain Jimmy Dean had informed me that everyone was going to Tower.

Once inside I could see that he was right - downstairs was full and noisy too with Brit pop faves from Blur and Pulp blaring out through the newly installed concert rig. Upstairs in the mezzanine VIP bar three luscious ladies were celebrating their birthday; shiny purple helium filled balloons rose from the floor depicting their combined age of 103.

Champagne flowed as friends came together to celebrate the re-launch of the New Tower and the excitement built as we waited for the Kings Of Lyon to come on stage.

Downstairs once more, I took my place among the swollen crown in order to get the best shots of the four musicians. The lights dimmed, smoke filled the stage and they launched into a full set of KOL floor fillers. The crowd responded, jumping up and down, dancing and generally going a bit crazy particularly for, Molly's Chambers, On Call and California Waiting.

Lasers and lights bounced off the walls and everyone was having a fine time. There was a couple who had come all the way from Harrogate to join the party which just goes to show the appeal of the U.S. rockers sound. My 'lighter in the air' moment, was the opening of minimalist track Milk. Dawson's voice filled with deeply felt anguish. I could have listened to that one on repeat all night. Stirring stuff.

Vocally, Dawson had enough of the Followill drawl as to help create the illusion. Baz turned the crowd on, with rock n roll swagger and eye catching guitar moves. Knocker on bass (not so hirsute) stage right, hands in the air egged the crowd on, not that they needed it. Moggy on drums, in front of the indoor waterfall at the back, clearly loved every minute; he couldn't stop grinning at fiancé and birthday girl Marie.

Talking about nuptials, Dawson finally proposed to his long term girlfriend Sarah a few weeks ago. Luckily for him she accepted his proposal, so more wedding bells are in the air for these much loved musicians. The crowd demanded an encore and Kings Of Lyon duly responded with the KOL chart topper Use Somebody.

Having not had the chance to see KOL live before, I don't know how they compared to the real KOL, but for faithful reproductions of the songs, sheer energy and excitement, Kings Of Lyon delivered - and then some.

Continued .... Next Page (2/4)

Photography Gallery Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Gallery 3,

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