Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA — August 22, 2024

Nashville rockers, Kings of Leon electrified the Kia Forum crowd last week, pulling from their deep catalog of nearly two decades. This tour follows the release of their 2024 album, Can We Please Have Fun, an album that leans into catchy pop-rock melodies. Throughout their three-hour setlist, the band balanced their underrated live hits such as “Pyro,” “Manhattan” (my personal favorite) and “On Call” and slowed down the energy on their true-to-their-southern-roots songs “Back Down South” and “Split Screen.” The band allowed their sound to soar through the roof on arena anthems such as “Waste A Moment,” “Sex On Fire”, and their ultimate closer track “Use Somebody.” Lead singer, Caleb Followill made a point to connect with the rowdy SoCal crowd amid their never-ending barrage of songs, claiming that this was the best LA crowd that he had performed to— high praise from a singer who has played dozens of shows in Los Angeles over the past 20+ years. After the lights dimmed and the beach balls lay on the Forum floor, Kings of Leon’s lasting presence echoed through the historic venue’s walls.

Words & Photography: Kenny Jusino