Kings Of Leon

21st Century Appearences: 2009 Main Stage Headliner, 2007 Main Stage, 2005 Main Stage

The Defining Reading Moment: Finishing off a fantastic set in 2007 with “Slow Night, So Long” and leaving to chants of “Kings Of Leon”, as the crowd ran away (literally) from Razorlight.

Seeing Kings Of Leon on this list will most likely provoke the response from most people of did you not see their set at Reading 2009? Understandably so, in a way, because there is no doubt; that was a huge disaster. However one bad showing doesn’t erase everything els,e and some would argue they made up for it at Leeds with a fantastic set. Some bands just go together with certain festivals, they just fit and that is the case with Kings Of Leon and Reading/Leeds festivals. They come armed with numerous hits to fire a crowd up, come rain or shine, and deliver them with a raucous spirit. Craig Brooks

It’s funny how times change, I remember turning up in 2005, and the biggest talking point of the Friday was the scandal, yes scandal, that Razorlight had been placed below Kings Of Leon. How could Reading snub Britain’s bright new things in favour of the Southern Strokes? Well any one who watched both sets, knew that the Kings positively blew Johnny Borrell and company out of the water (everyone except the NME who kept banging the Razorlight drum).

The Kings’ set that year was absolutely magic, Caleb was shy and withdrawn, but on a cool night, the lighting team really came through, casting these long dramatic shadows on a misty white backdrop. It was an amazing visual, setting the perfect misty evening tone for soothing “California Waiting” and the wrenching “Soft”, not to mention a savage reading of “Red Morning Light”.

Come 2007 and it seemed the world had got their wish, Razorlight stood above the Kings, but it was clear in fans eyes who the real headliners were. Leaning heavily on the brilliant Because Of The Times the Kings smashed Reading to pieces, drawing huge and unruly crowd surges for “My Party” and “Charmer”. While “On Call” provided the huge headline sing-along that “America” never quite was, and “Knocked Up” showed the Kings were cable of producing poignant, shivers down the spine, moments.

Two classic sub-headline sets that ensured KOL’s place on this list. David Hayter.