After 20 years in the business, the Killers certainly know how to put on a good show, and Thursday’s Rebel Diamonds gig at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena was no exception.
Brandon Flowers is so thoroughly All-American you almost expect his smile to twinkle along with his suit. An effortlessly charismatic front man, he keeps the energy high throughout, and despite playing hundreds of gigs over the years he still manages to incorporate those little moments that make you feel as though what you’re experiencing is a one of a kind show.
Sculpting the set list around their most recent greatest hits album Rebel Diamonds is a genius idea. I’m the nerd who reads set lists before I go to a gig (I also make a playlist on Spotify and pass judgement on the vibe of how it’ll sound, but that’s another story) but for the average gig-goer this strategy made sure fans knew exactly which songs to expect and everyone from ages 14 to 90 was singing along.
Speaking of 14 year olds, I always wonder what it’s like as a band to have children screaming along to your hits that came out before they were even born, but for me there was something magical about these teenagers, clearly at one of their first gigs and jumping up and down to songs that have become the soundtrack of my life. Whether it’s Flowers crooning ‘A Dustland Fairytale’ or the crowd bouncing and screaming along to ‘Mr. Brightside’ I’m transported back to road trips, desert festivals and first kisses.
And if you’re not fully captivated by Brandon’s shiny suit, powerful voice and the memories of the past 20 years, then the light show, confetti and sparklers ought to do it. There’s just enough pizzazz added to make it all feel incredibly fun, maybe even a little magical, without straying too far into theatrics and forgetting the real reason we’re all there.
Find upcoming live dates for The Killers here.
Listen to Rebel Diamonds here.