Is Time Running Out For Kings Of Leon?

While Kings Of Leon's decision to cancel the remaining dates on their US tour has upset fans, it's not come as total surprise after the group abandoned a gig in Dallas on Friday (July 29) and then postponed a concert the following night (30) in Houston.

At the time, Followill told the crowd in Dallas that his voice was “100% gone”, but that didn't stop many of those in attendance from speculating that the singer appeared drunk and unsteady on his feet during the concert. It didn't help Followill out when his fellow family and band members Nathan and Jared expressed their frustrations over the concert – and particularly Caleb's condition – on Twitter.

A statement released last night (August 1) announcing the group's cancelled dates tried to clarify that the singer not only had “voice issues” but was also suffering from “exhaustion”, and that the group simply “need to take a break”.

But the question is, how long will the break be? Are Kings Of Leon over? Or are they just in need of some time off? Below Gigwise Editor Jason Gregory argues why he thinks time might have run out for Kings Of Leon, while Deputy Editor Holly Frith thinks there's still life in the band yet (although she has got their logo tattooed to her body).

Jason Gregory, Editor – Time Is Running Out For Kings Of Leon

According to Nathan Followill, Kings Of Leon "ARE NOT BREAKING UP". But as anyone who has seen their recent documentary Talihina Sky will be able to testify, Caleb Followill's withdrawal from the spotlight is certainly a cause concern.

Indeed, there are numerous points in the Stephen C. Mitchell-directed film when you wonder just how the Followill's have last this long. Two scenes in particular alarmed me. The first, on the band's tour bus when Caleb has clearly had too much to drink. "You get so f*cjking drunk and talk sh*t. Your band cannot stand you,” his brother Nathan says. "You have got to get your f*cking self together. We have made you, you piece of sh*t. You've got to realise how much you are talking sh*t to people who love you the most and made you who you are."

The second scenes comes towards the end of the movie when Caleb is being interviewed by himself, clutching a glass of red wine. It's genuinely quite a sad moment. Here's the frontman of the one of the world's biggest bands pouring his heart out over a wine glass – and he doesn't seem happy.

Now, don't get me wrong, it's well known (you only have to look at their Twitter feeds and watch their hilarious 'dance-offs') that the Followills like a drink. But the gig cancellation in Dallas and subsequent cancellation of their US tour puts Kings Of Leon in a position they've not been before: one where they are dangerously close to losing the trust of their fans, and when that happens, the road back to the stage for any band is a long one.

Just look at Oasis, for example. Years of axed gigs and sibling rivalry is what caused the group to eventually implode in 2009. And if Nathan and Jared's outburts on Twitter in the wake of Caleb's recent problems are anything to go by, it's probably safe to assume that things aren't all that strong in Followills camp.

Let's hope for their fans sake that they return, and that, more importantly, any issues – whether personal or family-related - within the group are resolved. But personally, at present, I can't see Kings Of Leon returning to the stage in Toronto on September 28 as scheduled.

Holly Frith, Deputy Editor – Kings Of Leon Will Be Back

As the news arrived last night that Kings Of Leon had cancelled the remaining dates of their current US tour, it certainly didn't come as a shock.

Since the arrival of 'Come Around Sundown' last year, music fans have been constantly speculating whether this would indeed be the band's last album. And this recent news of cancelled shows and band fallouts certainly makes it now look all the more apparent.

Rewind back to the Summer of 2003 and as young teenager I can clearly remember how much 'Youth & Young Manhood' made me fall head over heels in love with Kings Of Leon. I was fascinated with these young men with truly genius hair. The angst and anxiety in tracks 'Talihina Sky' and 'Holy Roller Novocaine' revived my love of truly great indie rock and even inspired my first piece of ink.

Now eight years later, Kings Of Leon seem to be a band simply lost. The huge popularity of 2008's 'Only By The Night' took them from modest rock venues to headline festival slots and stadium shows. Don't get me wrong I believe KOL are a band that deserve great success but with that it seems to fans (who know tracks before 'Sex On Fire) that they have lost what made them great.

Watching their recent live shows and the recent documentary Talihina Sky highlighted a band struggling to deal with their achievements and an apparently huge drink problem. Many have now ruled this as the end of Kings Of Leon but I truly believe it is not.

Their second album 'Aha Shake Heartbreak' saw the band deal with the same issues that have now reared their ugly head yet again. Caleb has always spoken openly that he hates being in a band that people's mums like so after a much needed rest, time out and a some green tea I think this is what this band will do: change.

Kings Of Leon now need to grow some more facial hair, wear t-shirts five sixes too small for them and give back a band to fans that are once again truly great.

What do you think? Are Kings Of Leon over? Post your thoughts in the comment form below.