The two highly coveted support acts selected to launch the Kings of Leon's sold-out Stadium of Light show this Friday will get the weekend rocking from 6.30pm as another summer of successful concerts draws to a close at the venue.
The Kings' Caleb, Nathan, Jared and Matthew Followill (pictured) will headline the fifth of five massive nights of music at the home of Sunderland AFC following four epic performances by UK chart giants Take That - and concert-goers are being encouraged to arrive early to take in fellow US outfit Mona and British indie rockers White Lies as the two bands kick off the final night in swaggering style.
Originally from Dayton in Ohio, Mona have followed the Kings' blueprint for worldwide chart domination by putting down roots in legendary music city Nashville and have already set their sights on climbing the British charts with the May release of their eponymous debut album - months before it hits stores in their native US.
The band have started their ascent in explosive fashion, picking up MTV's Brand New for 2011 award in February and they will honour support slots across the Kings of Leon's headline UK shows prior to their own hectic festival season this summer, which includes appearances at Glastonbury, T in the Park and Reading & Leeds.
The fourpiece will precede Ealing indie rockers White Lies, who shot to fame in 2009 by topping the UK album chart with debut offering To Lose My Life…, which featured a number of critically-acclaimed singles including Death and Fairwell to the Fairground.
After consolidating their position amongst the UK's breakthrough acts with the Best New Band awards in both the NME and Q in 2009 and favourable comparisons to Joy Division and post-punk stalwarts Interpol, White Lies have now established themselves amongst the UK music scene's elite, following up with second album Ritual, which reached number three in the UK album charts in January this year.
Gates to the concert will open an hour earlier than those for Take That, with entry to the external compound for ticket-holders from 2pm and entry to the stadium bowl at 4pm ahead of the arrival of Mona on stage at around 6:30pm.
Gary Hutchinson, SAFC's head of venue and events, said: "The Kings of Leon have selected two bands of immense calibre so it's a great incentive for fans to get here early and really feel the concert vibe this Friday.
"Both Mona and White Lies bring their own energy, pace and style so it's an ideal build up to what is set to be a breathtaking evening."
Gary adds: "The concerts have been superb for the profile of the club, the city and the wider region again this year. We have had more visitors in such a short space of time than ever before and the impact on our local economy has been fantastic.
"The prospects for future events of this kind look very promising indeed."
Further information on the concert, the Stadium of Light and how to get here quickly and conveniently, visit www.safcconcerts.com.
