Kings Of Leon has defended their decision to play songs from their forthcoming new album on tour.

In June, the band previewed four new songs from the follow-up to 2008's 'Only By The Night' in defiance of their record label at London's Hyde Park.

And they have continued to debut new material during their current US tour.

In an interview with Billboard, drummer Nathan Followill said ideally they would like to play “the whole record, every night”.

Singer Caleb Followill added: "If we were to go out there and play a concert and not play new music, it would feel like we had our hands tied.

"I think we would be bored with the show. We didn't want to go back out there and give 'em the 'Only by the Night' tour, part two.

“It's inspiring to be able to go out there and play new songs.”

Not only are you testing the songs out on the crowd, but we have that, 'Oh, shit!' moment when we're looking at each other. Are they gonna like this? Are they gonna sit down because it's not 'Use Somebody'?"

Kings Of Leon are scheduled to return to the UK in August to headline the V Festival.

(by Jason Gregory)