Kings of Leon's costly tour cancellation
Kings of Leon The rockers this week called off 29 dates throughout North America, suggesting that frontman Caleb Followill’s exhaustion and voice troubles were the cause.
However, this could result in Lloyds of London – the band’s insurers – being landed with a bill that could run into eight figures as venues and promoters put in claims over lost revenue.
Respected music agent Dennis Arfa – who handles Rod Stewart, Metallica and Billy Joel – believes that the “exhaustion” claims are most likely not providing the whole picture.
He spoke to music and popular culture website RollingStone.com about his beliefs, saying that the claims tell him “stuff is going on…something’s not right, obviously”.
Dennis added that he reckons “exhaustion is a label – it doesn’t tell you the detail, just says ‘exhaustion’”, while continuing by pointing out that “exhaustion usually means you have issues going on beyond just being physically tired…it’s a convenient label”.
Problems in the Use Somebody group surfaced last Friday evening after 29-year-old singer Caleb walked off stage at the Gexa Energy Pavilion show in Dallas, Texas, and did not return after complaining of throat problems due to the heat in the arena
Not long after, 24-year-old Jared Followill – the band’s bass player – signed on to microblogging website Twitter to write that “there are internal sicknesses and problems that have needed to be addressed”.
He added: “I can’t lie, there are problems in our band bigger than not drinking enough Gatorade.”
Rumours have also emerged that the remainder of the band – drummer Nathan, Jared and their guitarist cousin Matthew Followill – have been urging Caleb to seek help by going in to rehab.
An insider spoke to celebrity gossip website Usmagazine.com, saying that the band “are trying to get Caleb to go to rehab – it is mostly for alcohol”.
Another source added that “it’s true – Caleb’s drinking is out of control and they are trying to get him into rehab”, while adding that “it’s a dark demon he has been fighting for a while”.
