To cut through all the verbal foreplay and just get right to it, last night, Kings of Leon put on the best concert I’ve seen all year. Maybe even longer. Not since The Strokes at DAR have I seen a band so well-rehearsed and completely together. And the boys from Tennessee blew Mr. Casablancas and company out of the water.

The set heavily favored older material, mainly bringing in songs from their most recent, Because of the Times, at the very end and encore. Whether they were playing their big rockers or their slower, more soulful numbers, Kings of Leon were absolutely perfect on every track, bounding with energy, hitting every beat and note, and completely owning the crowd.

The most impressive part of the show was the strength of Caleb Followill’s voice. It’s not a classic one by any stretch, but he didn’t waver on the long high bars or crackle on the gravely lyrics once. The other members held their own, too. Even while smacking on gum and blowing bubbles, Nathan Followill kept the booming pace behind the drum kit. The bass and guitar offerings from the other Followills, Jared and Matthew, were on point too. It was a complete sound from a band that didn’t screw around, didn’t take tiresome tuning breaks, and didn’t bother with heavy banter. They played their songs and played them perfectly. Kings of Leon are, to put it simply, pros. Much to the crowd’s delight.

Photos by Kyle Gustafson