The Killers are one of the greatest bands in the world, and there’s no denying that. Over their 20+ years they have crafted an iconic discography and live performance that is theatrical and has this deeply rooted impressive musicianship. Returning to Australia for another massive run of arena shows, the Las Vegas four piece have offered a really interesting two night residency. One night is dubbed “Rebel Diamonds” which is a greatest hits show from their extensive back catalog, and the other night is the 20 Anniversary celebration of their debut album “Hot Fuss”. 

I’ve seen The Killers twice over the past six years and it’s always felt like a greatest hits show, so I was really excited to attend the “Hot Fuss” show as there were deep cuts I’d never seen live, and probably never would otherwise. With Qudos Bank Arena at full capacity on a Saturdays night, the energy felt so electric with the lights dimming and the curtain opening to reveal the original line up of the band as they ripped into “Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine”, “Mr Brightside”, “Smile Like You Mean It” and “Somebody Told Me”. Welcoming the crowd to the “Hot Fuss” anniversary show, they brought their extended band on stage and continued to play the acclaimed album from start to finish. “All These Things That I’ve Done” had an interpolation of Elvis Presley’s “Burning Love” worked into it, “Change Your Mind” was always one of my favourite and stood out, and “Everything Will Be Alright” felt reassuring and special. In-between songs, lead vocalist Brandon Flowers reminisced about that era of the band, and told anecdotes of how the band formed and how special touring was. 

After they closed the album with “Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll” and confetti, they took at 5 minute intermission before returning for a 8 song greatest hits set. Showering the crowd with dollar bills for re-opener “The Man”, they kept the euphoric singalongs coming with “Human” “Caution”, “Runaways”, “Read My Mind” and deep cut “This Is My Life”. Thanking the crowd for their long-standing support with their retrospective track “Bright Lights”, they then closed the show with pyro falling from the top of the stage for closer “When You Were Young”. 

Backed by a big LED screen, a massive “The Killers” sign on top of the stage, big lights, fireworks, and confetti, they brought out all the theatrical stops to elevate their already tight sonical experience. There was something special about being able to witness “Hot Fuss” live in its entirety after all this space in-between its release. It makes you appreciate the artistry so much more of a legendary band like The Killers, and allows you to reminisce on that time in your life. I was only 10 when it came out, so I was never going to be able to experience it at the time, but now as an adult I get to live that experience, and the entire hour they performed that album I couldn’t stop smiling. It’s something more artists and bands should embrace in the coming years, like Green Day with “American Idiot” and “Dookie” next year in Australia, and recently with When We Were Young festival in the US. 

*Photo credit: Chris Phelps

The Killers Australian Tour

Monday 9 December – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane ^
Thursday 12 December – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne ^
Friday 13 December – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne *
Saturday 14 December – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne ^

^ Rebel Diamonds
* Hot Fuss