The Killers at the O2 Arena: “A ride through two decades of iconic bangers”

Reaching the point where Travis, a band fully capable of headlining their own arena shows, serves as the opening act, speaks volumes. More importantly, it makes for an excellent warm-up for the crowd, and it’s no coincidence that the O2 is already full despite the early hour. Brandon Flowers personally invited the Scottish four-piece to join the Killers’ tour as special guests, sharing that the Vegas rockers often played Side for their first rehearsals.

On the verge of releasing their tenth album — “and it’s not sh*te,” promises Fran Healy — Travis deliver 40 minutes of heartfelt music, performing classics such as Sing, Turn and Why Does It Always Rain on Me?. They also dedicate Side to the headliners and play new track, Gaslight as a taster of their new work. Healy knows how to please an audience, serving up a mix of funny anecdotes and great songs. If only all support acts could be this good.

It’s just a matter of minutes before the lights go dark again and the synthesiser notes of Read My Mind permeate the O2, prompting everyone to stand up, clap their hands, and sing along. It’s one of the more composed numbers from the beautifully over-produced, baroque, alt-rock indie masterpiece Sam’s Town, and one that has always sat dearly with the British crowd.

Despite this being the most overtly Vegas of the tens of concerts your reviewer has seen over the past 20 years, The Killers are as much a London band as they are of Sin City: it’s here they signed their first record deal and built their fame.

The setlist pulls no punches as they launch into Somebody Told Me, followed by Spaceman from the Day & Age era, which Flowers noted was written “before it was acceptable to believe in aliens.” Next is the ultimate fan favourite, Jenny Was a Friend of Mine from Hot Fuss. This confessional tale of murder is driven by the forceful bass line of Mark Stoermer — sadly on a part-time hiatus since 2016 — and builds to an emotional crescendo with a massive synth solo.

The sign Rebel Diamonds stands above the diamond-shaped stage, cleverly constructed from huge screens that create an effective light show. It comes from the lyrics of Read My Mind, also titles the band’s greatest hits released last year, following their decision to halt the recordings of a new album, from which two singles — Boy and Your Side of Town — had already been released. Both songs are played during the encore, with Boy standing out with its emotive trademark synth sounds developed with Stuart Price on their third album. It’s too bad we won’t hear the rest of what they have created.

Smile Like You Mean It and Shot at the Night keep the O2 on their toes before the funk glam of The Man incites infectious dance moves across the floor. But nothing can match the intensity of what’s next. The return of guitarist Dave Keuning to the band after a personal break is more than welcome as he electrifies the arena blasting the guitar riffs of When You Were Young, All These Things That I’ve Done, and ultimately the noughties anthem Mr Brightside.

Flowers, a seasoned frontman who addresses the crowd with the fervour of an evangelical preacher, knows how to connect with an audience. He explains that home is not necessarily a place but can be a person, just as his own mother is for him. He invites people to think of their own special person too as they perform A Dustland Fairytale. He also renews his vows towards London, saying: “We came to town and picked right up where we left off, and that is something precious. It’s about making a promise and keeping it. It’s about showing up. We are a Dying Breed.”

During the encore, Andy Bell of Erasure joined The Killers for a very welcomed duet of A Little Respect; a continuation that carried into Human, prompting the loudest singalong of the night. This is the kind of concert that keeps people happy to the very end, when drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr directs each sector of the venue like an instrument for an extended rock ‘n’ roll outro; and instead of flocking out, the audience participates till the very last drumbeat of this ride through two decades of iconic bangers.

Filippo L’Astorina
Photos: Chris Phelps

For further information and future events visit The Killers’ website here.

Watch the video for Boy here: