On a freezing Halloween night the Killers bring their own
brand of spooky holiday cheer to Birmingham, opening their set with a ‘Zombie
Hands’ music video showing the band suitably attired in Halloween garb. When
the band eventually surface, only drummer Ronnie Vanucci is dressed for the
occasion, choosing the skeleton onesie as his weapon of choice, but the band
nevertheless is in very good form and spirits. They kick off proceedings with ‘Bones’
rather appropriately, and it is clear from the off that the crowd are in for a
treat rather than a trick (no more puns, I promise).
What is also clear is the polished performance of Brandon
Flowers as frontman and master of ceremonies. He embarks on a monologue during
the refrain of ‘The Way It Was’, bemoaning the fact that we are distracted from
engaging with our loved ones by things like ‘Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja’.
Flowers is an utterly compelling performer, whether he is sermonising or
serenading, and those who are at the show tonight feel lucky to just be in his
presence.
Of course though, this is not a one-man band, and there are stellar
performances all round tonight. Dave Keuning knocks out classic riff after
classic riff without even breaking a sweat, and the instinctive musical connection
spoken of so much between Vanucci and gentle giant Mark Stoermer is evident in
their playing. Highlights include ‘When You Were Young’ and ‘Mr Brightside’,
songs that will probably never leave the Killers setlist, as well as the
spine-tingling ‘Flesh and Bone’. The band finish with ‘Battle Born’, a track
made to be a closer; such is its magnitude and magnificence. As Flowers
introduces each member of the band, he tells the audience that there are no
ghosts that we see, but as the final notes of ‘Battle Born’ drift away there is
a sense that something not of this world has just taken place.
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