Phantogram Electrify the Santa Barbara Bowl, Setting the Stage for Kings of Leon
It was a beautiful summer evening on August 26th at the Santa Barbara Bowl— the perfect setting for a rock concert. We arrived just in time to catch the opener, Phantogram, who set the tone as the sun dipped below the horizon. I hadn’t heard their music before and was curious to see why Kings of Leon chose them as their opening act.
Phantogram didn’t disappoint however with their music blending electronic influences with electric vocals of frontwoman Sarah Barthel. I was impressed by her versatility shifting from singing to playing guitar, and even adding effects through an electronic machine. Sarah’s energy was infectious as she expressed her excitement about touring with Kings of Leon, just before launching into a dynamic rock performance.
Their set was short but powerful, offering a taste of their unique sound to those of us who were new to it. Before their final song, the band shared a story about how "Black Out Days" became one of their biggest hits, thanks to a remix by Future Islands. Phantogram was an incredible opening act that kept us entertained and primed for the main event.
Around 8 p.m., it was time to rock out with Kings of Leon, and the crowd roared with excitement as the stage went completely dark. The curtain lifted, revealing the band, and they kicked off their set with “Ballerina Radio,” the opening track from their latest album, Can We Please Have Fun. This slow rock ballad, a personal favorite of mine, perfectly showcased frontman Caleb Followill’s incredible raspy vocals, proving that Kings of Leon still have the energy and talent that have kept them as one of the best rock bands in America.
The stage setup was stunning, accompanied by impressive camera work displayed on the side screens. The visuals, full of vibrant colors and inviting graphics, drew everyone in. They even projected some of the lyrics to their new songs, encouraging the audience to sing along to the newer material from their latest album.
Kings of Leon treated the crowd to some of their classic hits like “Sex on Fire,” “Revelry,” and “Closer,” which had everyone out of their seats, singing at the top of their lungs. Although this tour was originally designed for arenas, the switch to the intimate amphitheater setting of the Santa Barbara Bowl added something special to the night. Caleb Followill acknowledged this, even mentioning that this might be one of his favorite crowds of the tour so far.
Midway through the set, Caleb announced that he was about to perform an exclusive song that had never been played live before. Wanting to make each show unique, the band decided to debut a different song in each city. For Santa Barbara, they chose “Fairytale,” marking its live debut. Caleb joked that since they hadn’t practiced much, the audience should pay attention to any mistakes they make.
A standout element of the show was how Kings of Leon blended retro vibes with modern-day production. During their performance of “Razz,” the cameramen came on stage with old VHS cameras, creating a nostalgic effect that made it feel like the band was performing back in time. The visuals on the screens transitioned rapidly between Caleb and the rest of the band, creating a chaotic mesmerizing effect that perfectly matched the music.
As the night drew to a close, the energy peaked during their performance of “Closer.” This final song highlighted the essence of their latest album, Can We Please Have Fun, showing that after years of hits and accolades, Kings of Leon just want their fans to rock out, dance, and sing along to their incredible catalog. Ultimately asking themselves the question, Can We Please Have Fun ?
The band thanked everyone for their support and left the stage, but the crowd wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Minutes later after cheering, Kings of Leon returned for an encore, performing “Rainbow Ball” and “Knocked Up,” leaving the audience ecstatic. Afterwards, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived at the very end. As the iconic drumming pattern of “Use Somebody” began, with Caleb singing the opening lines, “I’ve been roaming around, always looking down at all I see,” the crowd erupted, singing every word back to the band.
The Kings of Leon show at the Santa Barbara Bowl on August 26th was undoubtedly a highlight of their Can We Please Have Fun Tour, a testament to their incredible legacy as a rock band that emerged in the early 2000s and continues to captivate audiences to this day.
Review & Photos by: Josue Cambara
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