by brenton crozier
Yes, yes, the Kings of Leon and Black Rebel Motorcycle both sounded fantastic and played engaging, inspired sets, but that is merely the back story to this event. The Florida Theatre apparently has a stringent rule about snapping pictures during a show. While this is understandable, it should not apply to people who receive photo passes. Especially photo passes from the band. They may fear that a photo pass given to press may result in pictures of the event that will lead to a review or story, which in turn could promote future shows at their venue. So you can see the photo stranglehold is completely warranted.
My photographer and I were enjoying the show and doing our job. Although he was accosted throughout the entire night about not taking pictures, he calmly showed his photo pass and was told to go about his business. I’m not sure if it was a slight case of amnesia or a security guard shift change, but my photographer was once again confronted by security as he approached the stage when the Kings of Leon opened their set. And once again, he showed his pass and was told to go about his business. Another security guard boldly stepped in and repeated their tired mantra of no photography. By this time, my photographer was understandably upset and caved in to slight belligerence.
Cue the fireworks! The security guard motioned to the off-duty JSO officers at the event and they promptly responded by restraining him in a chokehold and removing him from the premises. Then, just to drive their ambiguous point home, the officer broke his camera. (Note to self: be careful about drinking the cocktails they serve you at the Florida Theatre, they might decide to throw you out of the building Old West saloon style and say you were drunk.)
Perhaps it was the tame twenty-something crowd, ornamented with thirty-something hipsters and teenage girls that were there to scream their adoration for the Followill brothers that whet the appetites of the security guards to get their hands dirty. Everyone was enjoying themselves, were into the show and were following the rules, so they must have salivated at the first sign of trouble and they were sure to get their “money’s worth.” Oh yes, there was a show going on during this most unfortunate dust up.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club played a powerful set with a huge sound that filled every inch of the venue. Their sound ran off the stage in a thick, hypnotic stream that was seemingly Vicodin-laced. Although the theatre was only about three-quarters full during their set, the crowd was connected and mouthing the words to their songs. They had that full-but-raw sound that conjured up my younger days of begging for rides to go see Common Thread, Juggernaut and Sella at the Civic Centre in Orange Park. It was really magical despite my lack of familiarity with their catalog.
Other than the police-state shutdown of my photographer’s camera, Kings of Leon were quite commanding, playing almost everything from Because of the Times and many of their earlier hits like ‘Red Morning Light,’ ‘Slow Night,’ ‘So Long,’ and ‘Molly’s Chambers.’
I failed to realize just how good of musicians that the members of Kings of Leon have become. The dual guitar work was brilliant with imaginative syncopation, complementary rhythms and infectious melodies. The young Jared Followill played deceptively intricate bass lines and Nathan provided the foundation with solid beats and remarkable fills. It is obvious that they have learned something about showmanship from the industry heavyweights that they’ve played with including U2 and Pearl Jam.
It also seems like they have taken certain cues with their appearance. No longer the hillbilly chic that made it so apparent that they were kin, the Followills now appear cleanly shaven and with smart rock haircuts. Lead singer and American heartthrob, Caleb, threw in an unwarranted microphone-stand throw-down, a couple of Jesus Christ poses and a contrived scowl. Their rock stock is only rising, their new record is fantastic and they can put on a hell of a show, but there was a faint impression of rock star cliché and ego.
It was a night of two stories. A great rock show was enjoyed by the sold out audience, but an injustice was perpetrated by The Florida Theatre. The good news is, many people at the show saw the event occur and sent their sympathies, along with pictures they all caught of the show from the audience. Even though none of them had photo passes and pictures aren’t allowed.
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EU Critic’s Choice Awards
