The Emirates Old Trafford was an indie rock and roll playground last night, with thanks to the Las Vegas lads, The Killers, who would have quite literally blown the roof off, had there been one. Their evocative lyrics were set alight by a full-bodied, fanatical performance, which roused utter emotional turmoil for all the right reasons. Whether you’re only familiar with the band for Mr. Brightside, or you stuck around for Sam’s Town, if you’re searching for a cinematic show, where you’re left hanging onto Brandon Flowers’s every word and covered in the remnants of confetti cannons, The Killers are your answer.
The predictable British weather lived up to its name last night, as the music lovers of Manchester piled into the ground unsure whether to have worn shorts and sandals or our ‘big coats’; thankfully, a taste of summer stayed with us whilst Stockport lads, Blossoms, awakened the crowd. The theatrical flair of lead singer, Tom Ogden, concreted the foundation for what was to come, as the gifted band undoubtedly blew the minds of fans and first-timers alike. As the boys said their goodbyes with an impressively prolonged version of Charlemagne, you could see the crowd itching for the postponed gig they’ve all been waiting for.
Before fans burst from anticipation, The Killers took to the stage with their electrifying energy, kicking the evening off with a cascade of confetti and My Own Soul’s Warning, a poignant track from their sixth studio album, Imploding the Mirage. In true Flowers’s fashion, he graced the stage with his colossal vigor and fire to set the tone, pacing the stage he was born to own. Their appearance was met with chants and cheers, and I’m sure, a few tearful faces.
As gig-goers relished under the hypnotic performance, it seems the exhilaration took control of 67 year old fan, Billy, as Flowers ground the gig to a halt, after seeing the elderly gentleman crowd surfing to the front. The moment was met with a roaring applause, as Flowers ran off stage to share a heartfelt embrace with his diehard fan. On his return, Flowers informed us, in an impressive Mancunian accent, that Billy had claimed ‘I’m just enjoyin’ me’self!’ This monumental incident put a moving mark on the evening, showing there is no age limit when it comes to revelling in the magic of live music.
Shortly after playing their emotive new tune, In the Car Outside, from their most recent album, Pressure Machine, which is inspired by recollections of Flowers’ childhood in Utah, another fan’s dreams came true. Katie, an insanely talented drummer, was invited on stage to assist the band in performing For Reasons Unknown. It was a truly spine-tingling, goosebump kinda moment, as you watched an ambitious fantasy unfurl in front of your eyes. She headed back into the crowd with two drumsticks and a story to tell the grandkids.
To everyone’s delight, the show was wrapped up with their 2003 classic Mr. Brightside. It’s hard to believe that not only is the song nearly two decades old, but that it still continues to be a staple song for alternative rock fanatics across the world. The Killers concocted a surreal evening of teenage nostalgia and new tunes last night, whilst truly living up to the grungy, poignant performance I was promised. The ingenious combination of heartrending lyrics mollycoddled between authentic, impactful rock music are one of the endless reasons the band will be worshipped for decades to come.
As Mr. Brandon Flowers stated (and fulfilled) - we are spreading love, we are spreading rock ‘n’ roll.