An Unbelievable Birthday - Kings of Leon at The Pageant

Last night contained all of the elements of a perfect show. I don't know if a concert this year will be able to match it for me. Here are the top ten reasons why in no particular order.







1. The concert was on a Friday night of a long weekend. For us working stiffs who are usually dragging the next morning after a weeknight concert, this is the ultimate.
2. This is absolutely my favorite band of the moment.
3. The Features were one of the best openers I have ever seen.
4. K and I attended our second show in a week's time. The tickets were my birthday present from K. She gets me.
5. Getting what we now think are the best seats in the entire house at our favorite venue.
6. Vodka and Red Bull
7. I had to giggle listening to probably over a thousand guys singing along with Caleb with so much conviction to "Soft". When he yelled, "I'm Soft!" they were all right there with him.
8. Caleb's rock and roll smackdown of his microphone
9. Getting to watch Nathan Followill two weeks in a row, chew bubble gum and drink beer while playing drums.
10. Getting to watch the Followills interact with their fans after the show and seeing the skin-tight jeans up close.
--J

Setlist for Kings of Leon at The Pageant in St. Louis

Here's the setlist from last night's show.
Black Thumbnail
Taper Jean Girl
King of the Rodeo
True Love Way
My Party
Soft
Fans
Arizona
Molly's Chambers
The Bucket
Milk
Four Kicks
On Call
California Waiting
Spiral Staircase
Trani

Knocked Up
Charmer
McFearless
Slow Night, So Long

Morrissey at the Pageant

Together in Misery - This was written on a sign held up in front of the stage Tuesday night. I found it kind of funny since the person holding it up was probably experiencing a state of euphoria reserved for very special occasions. During work on Tuesday K, RB, and I were discussing Morrissey concerts. RB described the shows of her past which included lots of boys crying. On we chuckled over that. It was a bright spot in a dull day. When Morrissey came out on stage in a pristine black suit singing an unhappy birthday to himself after we had just listened to a recording of a woman reading depressing words like cancer, apartheid, etc., the crowd erupted. As K would say, he cuts quite a figure on stage, a distinguished gentleman. My favorite moments were Panic, Irish Blood, English Heart, How Soon is Now, and Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want. There were two songs I was hoping he would perform that he didn't, Shoplifters of the World Unite and The More You Ignore Me The Closer I Get. The show made me really wish back in the day I could have seen a Smiths show. This is the origin of emo, yes? Hearing How Soon is Now gave me chills. Here is this wall of sound with a beautiful voice lofting on top of it, singing the most raw lyrics. It was a moment my God and to see it live was moving.

After all my laughing at the emotions of others earlier in the day, it was me who had tears streaming down my cheeks to the sounds of Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want. Why? I don't quite know, but it was a beautiful moment. --J