The Killers are blazing like Rebel Diamonds cut out of the sun with three huge shows in Glasgow with local legendary rock group Travis.

★★★★☆ (4/5)

THE KILLERS PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO
PHOTOCREDIT: CHRIS PHELPS

It was a running start for The Killers, a rare tale of wondrous fate and glory in dark world. History was made when the brilliant minds of Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning combined and they wrote their first track together Mr Brightside; a song which would go on to be one of the most successful songs of this millennium.

The Killers have a diverse discography and have evolved from the garage rock days of their early work to a more expansive, synth-driven sound shining with heartland rock. Each album reflects a different stage in the bands career and the wide array of influences they have.

The band’s Rebel Diamonds tour marked 20 years since their debut album Hot Fuss and where life never really slowed down for the band. As if that was not sweet enough, the night came with Travis to start things off and for Glasgow’s attendees this was the cream on top. The venue was already jam packed for the local openers, with much excitement to see a home show for the band who are playing their own headline show their later in the year.

There were some early agitations with Andy Dunlop having guitar trouble throughout the groups opening numbers. The eerie ringing of their first song, Sing, unfortunately petered out quickly instead of building up and Driftwood still appeared to be working out the groves. Dougie Payne is a cool and at ease presence, he seems unfazed by the magnitude around him as he plays his beat-up, scratched bass guitar. Singer, Francis Healy, tells the story of The Killers covering their song Side and, with all kinks worked out, finally the band start to sound as they should. Healy jumps on the drums and the arena is really getting to be enjoying themselves.

The song Closer is a powerful heart warmer and hearing it live has the power to melt one’s insides into an emotional mush. Drummer Neil Primrose is a relaxed and focused drummer until a friendly smile peaks between his waves. Healy was working hard on stage as he jitters and sweats through the group’s melodic indie rock. Healy’s hair is vibrant and pink. During Flowers in the Window they get a spotlight in the crowd over to the band’s family, some of whom are wearing wild wigs to match his do. The newer number Gaslight is has links with a more The Killers sound while staying home-grown. The set is ended with a pogo along to Why Does it Always Rain on Me. Although Travis having some ironing out to do for their headline shows in December, this tour is perfect way to prepare.

When The Killers took to the stage, they claimed the space as organ’s sound fills a room. Playing a varied set list for each night of the tour, attendees could only anticipate what was to come. A sparkling touch was this night was the inclusion of Sam’s Town ditties Interlude as the show began as Exitlude as it ended. Flowers is spindly and moves with a quick and jerky rhythm; there is genuine excitement in his eyes from the second he takes to the stage.

The synth-pop Human opens the night to the scale of what was to come. As the keys resonate through the air there is an eruption of dancing. Flowers tries to hold the microphone out to the crowd for them to sing the words to The Way It Was but unfortunately the crowd managed some lacking murmurs trying to compare with Flowers’s schoolbook vocal range. Later on however, during the belt it out number Somebody Told Me, Flowers can give his vocal cords a rest as the arena shout the song passionately.

Early work by the band was heavily draped in an indie “coolness” and bold wisdom. The Hydro is transported back to the days of the first release of Smile Like You Mean It and it still hits hard. A fan is then invited onstage to drum for Reasons Unknown and the talented musician clearly knows the track like back of his hand.

A surprise and uplifting cover of the evening is The Waterboy’s The Whole of the Moon and Flowers talks about it as one of the songs he most wishes that he could have written. Another touching moment is the beautiful fade out as the track Runaway ends; the crowd singing loud and clear as Read My Mind creeps up. The main set is finished with the anthem All These Things That I’ve Done before an encore including Mr. Brightside and When You Were Young.

The Killers have a strong and enduring appeal and there music ignites something within the listeners. The band’s love of their art shines through makes watching them live an effortlessly hypnotising experience. They are still nurturing the fire under their feet and there is no stopping them.