The lights turned down low, soon enough there was a purple daze of spotlights illuminating the stage, stage smoke cascading down the drum set and piano. “This was it!” I said to myself, this was when I finally get to see the Killers perform live! I wanted to pinch myself so bad; I can’t explain the anticipation and overwhelming joy standing 5 feet from the stage, barely a foot from arms length and right smack center stage where the “K” stood. It was more than I could every hoped for. My heart gave a leap out of its place, from my chest to my mouth as soon as the boys all ran out looking great especially Dave Keuning living up to the role of Fabulous Rock Star with always bigger hair and wearing military-like jacket with an open chest shirt and Ronnie, looking simple with his black V neck, started entering the stage and taking their places beside their instruments.
The crowd already in chaotic screams of excitement and delight, then as though a knight on a white horse came striding, Brandon (Lead vocalist) enters to stage with such a sense of poise and confidence, the crowd went hysterical, with high pitched screams and longing or disbelief on their faces – I was one of them. I was in awe. It was almost surreal to me, barely feet away from Brandon Flowers! He had always been a genius who taught me as a teen to love/appreciate music, to write and gave me strength through his songs/lyrics or just plain uplifted my spirits with dance and dreams to follow! It had been almost 6 years since I bought my first ever The Killers CD, and time just sped by so fast. The feeling although sandwiched painfully between two tall guys, pushed, tugged and stepped on – it hurt so bad being in the “PIT”, but as soon as “Spaceman” played I lost all feeling around me except the feeling of unimaginable happiness and my head was up in the clouds. The signature K – keyboard stood bright and lit with glowing bulbs, it was right in front of my view! I felt that I could touch it, and only the steel barriers kept me in my place and my will to stand firm throughout the concert.
“Spaceman” was my choice of song that night to be performed, and I was in a world of my own. The Killers are who they are and more, the performances were spot on and flawless from start to end! They sound 10 times better than in their record –which is rare for a band. Not many leads have Brandon’s prowess on stage, decked in his signature (awesome) bird feathered shoulder blazer jacket costume, trimmed with a red collar and all black three piece outfit including a tight fitted shirt and vest. He knew his style and his image helped his performance a notch! It explains a lot of the songs sang and his boyish charm captured the audience immediately. The songs followed without a single time for me to catch my breath, singing along word for word, dancing or jumping with the music.
The backdrop on stage was of a curtain of lights displaying an array of controlled lighting and colors complimenting the songs. Each light show portrayed the message and tone of the songs perfectly and all synced to work in unison. Words flashing lyrics – “Hold ON” and “Help Me” from “All These Things that I’ve Done” was breathtaking. “Bling” was powerful, well executed and Brandon’s ability to capture the spectators with his untainted strength and intense emotional vocals was undeniable! He had a theatrical aura and you could see his eyes tell the story behind the songs. So much passion in his vocals and all in pitch, with all that running and dancing around wouldn’t be easy to pull off. The band was all so talented, Dave had a couple of hilarious, cocky/yet adorable moments with his Axe (guitar), and he displayed personality throughout with wacky hand/feet moves and faces. Entertainment wasn’t missing that night!
“Mr. Brightside” a crowd favorite blared with such familiarity and everyone was “in the zone” and you could sense the energy level rise at the intro! “Smile like You Mean it” was played acoustically instead but carried itself on the piano so beautifully led into a chorus of sound and extravagance! Electric guitars and heavy drumming. My favorite song on the set list was probably, “All These Things…” and “When you were young” both lyrically deep and profound songs as a gut wrenching number that presented such drama and sensation. The words moving across the background, Brandon sang his heart out, “Help Me” brightly lit in white blaring lights standing 4 feet tall gave the crowd a personal call and evoked those desperate sentiments.
As soon as the bridge was declared by the crowd impatiently shouting these memorable and deeply ingrained words, “I’ve got Soul but I’m not a Soldier!” – it resonated truth and the pouring out of the audience’s passion. Being able to look at Brandon’s eyes and see the music diverging into a statement of hope and speaking his own claim in harmony was heartrending. It pulled me and uplifted my spirits and I was deeply moved to tears. The things everyone could relate to, the whole room could sense each other’s cries for help. It was two hours of pure adrenaline, with a wide smirk across my face and a deep inner smile! I was admiring their talent and spirit – the ability to reach for dreams and make them true! At that moment, in the center front stage nothing worried me, everything was bliss and I was where, “I chose to be” and “ought to be”. Innovation wasn’t lacking, I could see their Las Vegas roots alive in their flamboyance, raw desert drive, glitz and glamor as well as showmanship! Entertainment and music was second nature to these guys. The stage was all red lights for the chorus and when Brandon would move his arms up, side or out front the lights would follow, hard to clarify but my favorite moment. The clothes, stage props and dancing all signified Las Vegas and its exaggeration of expression and its uniqueness (being showy).
They can pull it off! Not afraid to cross rock with being fashionable and theatrically composed at the same time. I could see Brandon’s sweat trickling down his cheek and forehead and everything from the fantastic vocals, guitar solos, the light coordination, drumming, background instruments and extraordinary songs were outstanding. The finale was explosive with “When You Were Young” blown from the speakers!
The crowd went insane and pumped with so much contained energy, red lights flickering and smoke/flames/sparks reminded me of a great LV show! It ended with a Bang! I closed my eyes to cherish the moment before the end. The feeling immersed in a live performance by my favorite band since I was 15 years old! Immense joy yet I felt so sad that it was about to be over and all that remains were memories of that splendid night! The Killers are altering and reinventing rock and roll history and I believe they’re in par with greats like David Bowie and Bob Dylan. There will be more great albums coming from these Las Vegas men a.k.a “The Best British American Band ever!” and I'll be there to experience it.
It was worth 17 hours drive in a crowed bus to Seattle, 6 hours waiting in line, and countless amount of pushing, squeezing and painful shoving! I’ll do this again in a heartbeat, 2 hours of pure music euphoria. Best Night to date!!!
Here is a video I made of most of the photos I took that night. :) Enjoy!
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