Josaka - Berkshire live music, indie record label, gig promoter

Kings and Chiefs: Reading Friday

Posted: Sat, 29 Aug 2009

Kings of Leon closed out the first night of Reading Festival with a set containing both brilliance and the temperamental nature of frontman Caleb Followill, who at times was clearly disappointed with the response from the Friday night crowd. Although from where I was standing people seemed to love every minute.

Songs spanning all of their albums were performed faultlessly with Sex On Fire the biggest sing-along of the night. The band left the stage after trashing some guitars and showing their dissatisfaction.

Earlier in the set Caleb had said "I know there are people out there bored of Kings of Leon, we're bored of Kings of Leon but we get up here and do this every night because we are the Kings of Leon" (or something like that plus a bit of swearing) the crowd denied this strongly but I'm not sure Caleb got the message. Despite this, they proved why they're one of the world's best live bands and for me played the best I've seen them.

Before them I caught some of Jamie T on the NME stage and despite being much further up the bill than a couple of years ago his set retained its rough-around-the-edges charm and tracks from Panic Prevention like Salvador sounded as good as ever and his current EP track Chaka Demus sounded great too.

In making it over to that I had to miss the second half of the Kaiser Chiefs who had been so over-exposed a couple of years ago I'd got pretty bored of. However, in this case absence has made my heart grow fonder and I even managed a sing along with Ruby, a fitting main support act, their light show was pretty good too.

Earlier in the day I caught Placebo who reminded me how many of their songs I know and like, Jack Penate who's new album is definitely worth a listen and I just about made it to the BBC Introducing stage to catch the Sixty Watt Bayonets storm it to a large crowd.

Now I know I missed a lot of acts yesterday and I didn't watch much by way of the rock stuff on the main stage - if you were there why not post your review below.

Day two here I come.

By Jim Bowes

Josaka is at Reading Festival all weekend and you can keep up with the action with Josaka on Twitter - come and follow us.