Kings of Leon Live Debut "Mustang" At Vive Latino

Live Debuts

Last updated: 19 Mar 2024, 17:56:14
Published: 19 Mar 2024, 17:29:40
Written by: Harry Levin
Photography by: Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images
Categories: Live Debuts Tagged: Kings of Leon Kings of Leon at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez Mustang

This week, the beloved alternative rock outfit Kings of Leon played their first set since announcing their ninth album, Can We Please Have Fun, last month. The band, consisting of brothers Caleb, Nathan, and Jared Followill and their cousin Matthew Followill, brought their signature brand of emotional rock music to a headlining slot at Vive Latino festival in Mexico City, leaving the crowd in the lovely and polarized state of screaming with elation and crying tears of joy.

While the festival only afforded them 70 minutes to go through their two decades of history, the band gave the audience everything they had in an 18-song setlist. They played their biggest hits along with a live debut, setting an exciting tone for everyone who will see them on tour this summer.

Kicking things off with “The Bucket,” the massive chord strums in the pre-chorus gave all the eager fans the perfect opportunity for their thousands of voices to be heard alongside Caleb’s heartfelt croons. But the band had no time to waste. While the crowd chorus was still settling, they launched right into “Taper Jean Girl,” to get everyone dancing.

When Caleb did find a moment between bangers to appeal to the crowd he was sure to acknowledge the long wait:

“We came a long ways to see you and I know you guys have been here for a long time so let’s have some fun tonight,” he said as Nathan pounded a metronomic kick and the audience clapped in unison right before the high-energy heater, “Waste A Moment.”

For the rest of the set, the Followills took that title to heart and did not waste a moment without delivering one of their classics. “Closer,” “Pyro,” “Supersoaker,” and more exploded through the back half of the set, but that was all in preparation for the last three songs.
“We have a few songs left for you, and then we’re done,” Caleb said. “Are we the last ones up here? Hopefully you guys get to go home.”

While there were a couple of acts left to see at the festival after Kings of Leon was done, their powerful trio of closing hits left the audience completely satisfied. The first of the three was their longing anthem, “Use Somebody.” If anyone in the crowd had any voice left, it was gone after this one. Caleb didn’t even sing the chorus. He passed that duty to his adoring fans.

The penultimate song was “Mustang,” the first single from their new album and the first time they played it to a headlining crowd. This crowd was thrilled to be the first because they welcomed it with cheers almost as loud as the closer, the irreplaceable power ballad “Sex on Fire.”

The key word there is “almost,” because even though the sound of the band was crystal clear, Caleb’s words had a massive reverberation from the screaming crowd that built up to him once again handing them the vocals. They took up the duty with nothing but happiness.

Kings of Leon will be on the road all over North America beginning this August. If you’re coming to the show be sure to get those vocal chords ready. Check out the full setlist from Vive Latino here and view the complete tour schedule below