Kings Of Leon/The Walkmen, Boston Agganis Arena

As if Boston wasn’t lucky enough to have two Kings of Leon concerts in November, the band is back for two more sold-out nights to play an arena almost three times the size. While much less intimate than their November shows, it is remarkable to see how much they have grown in popularity in the States in such a short period of time.

Kicking off with a brilliant set from opening band The Walkmen, audience members slowly trickle in as the arena fills up. While only approximately a third full, the crowd appears to enjoy the raw, vintage sound of upright piano-organ-indie rock and Chris Martin (Coldplay)/Bono (U2) lovechild vocals. Playing some beautiful tracks off of their latest album, You & Me, as well as some older tunes, including the 2004 hit ‘The Rat,’ this soothing music serves as an excellent lead into the soulful southern rock that follows.

The Followill brothers (and cousin) then take the stage amidst a now full venue of cheering fans, delving straight into ‘Charmer.’ Each time Kings of Leon frontman Caleb belts out his shrieky yelp, a Hitchcock-esque image of a screaming woman appears on the projection screens. Charming, no?

The band continues to play an impressive set and exudes raw energy and passion in each rip-roaring song.  Men of few words, they prefer to sing tonight than speak to the crowd. Caleb does welcome new fans, but reminds them that ‘Sex on Fire’ is not the first song the band has written, and thanks those who have been listening to them all along.

Returning to the stage for a four-song encore, including ‘Knocked Up’ and ‘Manhattan,’ they close out the night with ‘Black Thumbnail,’ a song that will make a head banger out of you or, if you’re Caleb Followill, make you kick your microphone stand off of the stage to close out the night, in true rockstar style.