There are bands that people associate with the UK that aren’t actually British, and there are The Killers; from Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada. Modeling their style after British pop like Oasis and Pulp, bringing Smiths legend Johnny Marr and Pet Shop Boys out at Glastonbury on past shows; I got lucky enough to see the Brandon Flowers-fronted indie rock band on the penultimate night of their six night residency at the 02, in North Greenwich, London. They were touring Rebel Diamonds, their greatest hits album, celebrating twenty five years since the release of their breakout modern classic Hot Fuss, and as destiny happened – it just so happened to fall on the day at the exact time England were playing in the semi finals against Slovakia.
The stars aligned. The Killers know their audience. England fans were anxiously checking the game throughout the match – the ultra-fast wifi in the 02 enabling fans to be staring down at their phones; including those who had paid-for-tickets leaving the gig to watch the match from outside. Brandon noticed fairly early on – it was 1-1 by the time they came on, opening to Read My Mind, from their second album, Sam’s Town, with the charisma that Flowers has that makes him the heir apparent to Elvis himself and one of the most charming frontmen in indie rock; Mormon origins and all. Midway through the set-list he tells the crowd during A Dustland Fairytale, already iconic in its own right with the camera-lights of the crowd – “is it still 1-1? Maybe we can relieve your anxiety,” and then the magic happens. In Germany, a football-obsessed nation turning up to watch a band that they’re obsessed with, the mood relaxed when, 90+5 minutes in, Jude Bellingham scores to put England 2-1 up against Slovakia and send them through to the final. Regardless of whether or not football comes home – I’m writing this review before the final where England play favorites Spain – what follows was one of the most iconic moments that you’ll ever see at a gig; a sheer awe-inspiring moment of genius from the Killers that propels them into viral status and had me talking about it for the rest of my life.
At 2,000 Trees, the following weekend in Cheltenham, a world away from the capital city of London – people were asking all about it. It was the only topic of conversation. The Killers stopped their gig to play the last few minutes; and the cheers started when “England extinguish the Dutch flag in Dortmund” was broadcast to a sold-out crowd of 20,000 people – and grew into loud celebrations of sheer relief and enjoyment as Brandon kicked up the atmosphere and went directly into a song that every British person is born knowing; Mr. Brightside – you haven’t really lived until you’ve witnessed 20,000 people erupt into Coming Out of My Cage and I’ve Been Doin’ Just Fine, Gotta, gotta be down because I want it all… in a moment of the stars aligning. Try as she want – I don’t think even Taylor Swift could capture a moment of zeitgeist that sums up a culture as much as this perfect; two minute capsule of what makes England England. Celebrating the football and then singing Mr. Brightside. From there, no matter what Brandon Flowers could do; he had the attention of the crowd. He hoped people were filming that moment, he said – and they were, of course – it went viral. We lost Be Still on the pre-planned set-list for this moment – but it’s something that you’ll never forget.
The first half of the set played Spaceman, from their divisive but anthem-banging Day & Age, and then satisfied the two in front of me who were begging them to play “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine” from their first album. This was a greatest hits tour – and these were all the greatest hits, the Americana bravado of The Man inspired so much confidence with its triumphant confetti, and Runaways paid tribute to Battle Born. Whilst there were no tracks from Pressure Machine; their underrated, late-period album, they dipped into Erasure territory for the encore with A Little Respect and came back on to their New Order riff Your Side of Town, that was intended to be a single for a new album, before direction shifted in the direction of the greatest hits album that was Rebel Diamonds. Brandon admitted to the audience he was wondering what direction the Killers were headed in next. Maybe they needed to take a little break – whether this was all talk or just a prelude to their final song of Dying Breed, who knows, really.
They’ve been trying to paint themselves as the most American band around after the debut of their British album – Runaways felt like an ode to Bruce Springsteen and Pressure Machine used quotes from inhabitants of a small town forgotten by time. Day & Age is a pop-heavy stadium anthem festival-ready banger of an album and you can see why: the favourties Spaceman and Human were utilised here to perfection, with Human wrapping up the night. By the end – fans had long since forgotten that £9.50 was the going rate for pints at the 02 – and for paid-for-water – with one of the best live gigs of 2024 purely for Brandon Flowers and co.’s mastery at capturing the moment. Back with the band, Dave Keuning was a delight on lead guitar giving the band the authentic voice that it lacked; and Ronnie Vannucci played to the heart of the crowd by wearing an England shirt as the red-and-white confetti exploded into Mr. Brightside. Not since the first release of the nightclub venue closing classic across the country have The Killers been more of the moment than this.
Farewell for now then, The Killers. Don’t stay away too long.
You might also like…
Review: 2000 Trees Shows Bigger Festivals How It Should Be Done